CORDÃO – Choir of Oncology Patients and Friends won the Acesso Cultura – Mickaella Dantas Award 2026 this Wednesday, in a ceremony held at the Money Museum in Lisbon, attended by Sara Borges, representing Faz Cultura in the project. Alongside CORDÃO, Teatro do Bairro Alto and Jardins do Bombarda – Cultural and Community Centre were also distinguished. JAT – Janela Aberta Teatro: Community Theatre and Som Táctil by MãoSimMão & P 06 Studio + SSArquitectura received Honourable Mentions.
Regarding the award granted to CORDÃO, the jury stated: “We recognise in this project a necessary cultural practice, capable of embracing difficult moments, creating a sense of belonging and building community.” The jury further noted: “Awarding CORDÃO means recognising a musical and community project of enormous relevance. But it also means affirming that projects like this need the conditions to continue: time, support, teams, resources and a network of public and private backing that understands their true impact. May this award help strengthen that continuity for many years to come.”
Created in 2014, the Acesso Cultura Award aims to recognise, promote and give visibility to projects and organisations that stand out for exemplary policies and good practices in improving access to cultural participation in Portugal, namely in its physical, social and intellectual dimensions. Since 2024, the award has been named after dancer and performer Mickaella Dantas (1989–2024).
The jury for this edition was composed of Catarina Medina, Head of Communications at Culturgest – Fundação Caixa Geral de Depósitos; Isabel Bastos, museologist; and Joana Reais, singer, researcher and member of the Board of Acesso Cultura. The Acesso Cultura Award trophy was created by visual artist Xana and consists of three interconnected pieces, symbolising integrated accessibility to culture through its physical, social and intellectual dimensions.
CORDÃO is a community choir made up of people diagnosed with cancer, whether undergoing treatment or in remission, as well as their caregivers (formal or informal) and healthcare professionals. With the primary goal of combating social isolation among cancer patients and their caregivers, CORDÃO connects people, collectively weaving new ways of living with and understanding cancer.
CORDÃO is part of the third edition of the PARTIS & Art for Change programme, an initiative of the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian and the Fundación “la Caixa”. The project is promoted by Faz Cultura – Braga Municipal Culture Company, in partnership with the Braga Local Health Unit (ULS Braga), the Portuguese League Against Cancer – Braga Branch, and APLL – Portuguese Association of Leukaemias and Lymphomas.