On Saturday April 20th we invite all children and their families to Åby Bibliotek for a special “create-your-own” elephant workshop. Fun, creativity, and important conversations are guaranteed.
Why elephants?
Mental illness is often seen as the “elephant in the room”. If we do not discuss this topic, it becomes an invisible illness that might not get treated before it is too late. We need to talk about the elephant in the room!
The latest studies show that most Danes will come into contact with mental illnesses at some point. Actually, four out of five Danes will receive treatment for a mental illness through their life. Most get better or live with it without issues. Naturally, this means that it is completely normal to be affected by mental illnesses. It is important to speak openly about this topic and how we speak about it. The goal is to turn mental illnesses into a normal and open topic. Pain in the mind is no different to pain in the leg.
On Saturday 20th April we will host an elephant workshop. Together we will create decorative elephants while we talk about the “elephant in the room”. We believe that art and creativity have a special ability to unite us and create understanding and openness.
The workshop is a collaboration between Åby Bibliotek, Museum Ovartaci, and Psykiatrifonden.
Learn more about the workshop at findelefanten.dk and ovartaci.dk
Participation is free. All interested are welcome to join.

On Saturday April 27th, you can join our guides to a special introduction to the temporary exhibition: Klokkebarn, Blodmenneske, Dråben by artist Kathrine Ærtebjerg.
After the introduction to the exhibition, the artist, and the artworks, you can experience the exhibition on your own.
The introduction to the exhibition is approx. 20-30 minutes. Price is 50 DKK for the introduction + admission to the museum 95 DKK. Payment on the day.

To sign up text: 41856290
Please provide name and number of participants.
NB.: Sign up not final until confirmation is sent.

...and why was he a patient at the Psychiatric Hospital, and what type of life did he live during his 56 years there?

All this and much more is just some of the things you can learn more about on Saturday 4th May at 13:00, when our experienced guides invite you to join an open tour in the main exhibition. The tour is about one hour, and we recommend you delve further into the exhibition on your own afterwards.
Max capacity is 25 assigned first come, first served.
Price is 75 DKK for the guided tour + admission to the museum 95 DKK

To sign up text: 41856290
Please provide name and number of participants.
NB.: Sign up not final until confirmation is sent.

For the “Young Today” project we have invited ten young people to join the behind-the-scenes of the museum. This project gives the young people a platform to share their insights and viewpoints that we then put into action in new and exciting ways, targeting young people.
Through discussions, together we have learned that the young participants want to highlight communities. Together we have researched how communities play a part in our society, how we understand them, and how communities can bring people together but also separate them.
Last week, our “Young Today” participants went on a field trip to Museum Jorn in Silkeborg where through a guided tour in the special exhibition: “Jorn’s communities”, they gained valuable experiences that have led to many interesting new thoughts and ideas.
In the coming weeks we will continue the planning of what, where and when. To keep up to date with everything, visit our website, newsletters, and social media.
The “Young Today” project is funded by Region Midtjylland and the Nordea-fonden.

Museum Ovartaci is a part of Kulturhus Bunkeren – a new place of culture currently defining and proving its place in the new and local part of the city in Aarhus N.
At Museum Ovartaci, a topic of conversation is how to become an even better collaborator and contributor in a lively culture house, where the parties work together to make each other better.
As a part of the work and process to become an even better player in a relevant culture house in Aarhus, representatives from the board of trustees and the museum took a quick trip to Madrid and La Casa Encendida where Ovartaci is currently part of an exhibition. La Casa Encendida means “The House of Light”. During the visit at La Casa Encendida, director Pablo Berástegui introduced us to the many activities and events they offer.
Spain takes culture, art and artists very seriously. At many places throughout the city, exhibitions and museums are an integrated part of the local community – a place where people of all ages meet. Everyone can join the activities and events that connect people across ages, cultures, and ethnicities.
Through the trip we gained useful insights and food for thought that we are sure will prove to be useful in our future collaborations, and in creating the best possible culture house in Aarhus N.

You will be the first to greet the guests with a glowing smile, ready to share the history of the museum and the exhibitions, so that they feel welcome and ready to start their journey in the exhibitions.
We are looking for volunteers to help keep the museum open during the weekends, bank holidays, and vacations.
If you want to create a better platform for talking about mental illnesses and vulnerability through art and art history, then please read the volunteer-job-description on our website and reach out to us.

Members of Friends of Museum Ovartaci help ensure the continued existence of the museum and help make a difference by eliminating prejudices and create an understanding of mental illness through art and history of art.

In other words: Museum Ovartaci needs you!

As a member of Friends of Museum Ovartaci you get special benefits. You will be invited to events, openings, pre-views, special friend-events and a discount to selected events. Furthermore, a membership in Museum Ovartaci’s Friends grants free admission to the museum. Membership price 225 DKK per year.
Sign up and become a part of Museum Ovartaci’s Friends by following the link below.