Abstract
<jats:p>As models of inclusion in cultural institutions are being transformed, the issue of recognizing the agency of the Deaf community in the creation and implementation of artistic and educational projects becomes increasingly urgent. This article examines the experience of the GES-2 House of Culture (Moscow, Russia), where the “Deaf and Voiced” programme has been implemented since 2022. The programme is aimed at rethinking Deaf identity, fostering Deaf culture, and supporting Russian Sign Language (RSL) as an independent linguistic and cultural system. The empirical basis of the study consists of case studies from the programme’s projects, including initiatives to promote RSL, theatre laboratories, and the interdisciplinary project Researching the Deaf Community, as well as materials from conferences, almanacs, and field research.</jats:p> <jats:p>The methodological framework is based on qualitative case analysis, elements of participant observation, and the analysis of accumulated project documentation. The article demonstrates how establishing the programme as an independent institutional direction made it possible to shift the focus from tasks limited to accessibility and content translation for Deaf and hard of hearing visitors toward a broader range of issues related to representation, cultural production, and the creation of a dialogical environment between Deaf and hearing participants.</jats:p> <jats:p>The programme illustrates the successful integration of Deaf professionals as co-authors and experts in cultural projects. This is reflected in the development of RSL-oriented formats, the laboratory-based model of work, the collective production of knowledge, and the formation of a Deaf Studies research field within the Russian context. The article identifies key mechanisms that contribute to the expansion of cultural narratives and the formation of a more inclusive and tolerant environment: the involvement of Deaf people in programme design and curatorial processes; the use of sign language as the primary language of expression rather than as a translated medium; the creation of research and artistic laboratories based on participatory principles; the institutionalization of collaborative practices between Deaf and hearing professionals; and the return of research outcomes to the community itself.</jats:p> <jats:p>The findings highlight the importance of transitioning to practices of active co-participation of cultural and linguistic minorities in programme development. This shift contributes to overcoming sociocultural and linguistic barriers, advancing Russian Sign Language, supporting the professional growth of Deaf specialists, and achieving both linguistic and artistic equality in the cultural sphere. Particular attention is paid to the processes of building mutual understanding, redistributing expertise, and establishing sustainable models of collaboration between Deaf and hearing participants in cultural institutions.</jats:p>