History of the project

ArtLab represents the most significant Advocacy activity of the Fitzcarraldo Foundation: it was established in 2006 as an annual event under the title “ArtLab.” “Dialogues around cultural management” initially had a conference-style approach mostly open to professionals in the sector, cultural institutions, and foundations from Piedmont.

Since 2011, with the relocation of the event to Lecce, it transitioned from a conference for industry professionals to a public event open to the business world, social actors, and the general public. In 2013, it changed its name and transformed into “ArtLab. Territories, Culture, Innovation,” and in 2016, it revamped its format becoming itinerant: with multiple annual events featuring two fixed stops, one in the North and one in the South, along with several satellite events. The direction is led by Fitzcarraldo, but the contribution to the design and development of the project is strengthened by an increasing and diverse network of national and international partners, including over 40 European networks, agencies, and cultural institutes from different countries, public administrations, territorial agencies, foundations, businesses, institutions, universities, and professional organizations.

ArtLab aims to contribute to the development and strengthening of the role of cultural and creative sectors in society, economy, and institutions; promote the recognition of their contribution to the creation of social and economic value; and develop strategic guidelines and operational indications for professional communities and stakeholders.

In the last few years, ArtLab has promoted and hosted several important national and international discussions on key topics, including: special public-private partnerships for the cultural enhancement of public assets in accordance with Article 151 of the Public Procurement Code; meetings between representatives of the Culture Committees of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate and the cultural sector regarding various legislative proposals over the years concerning cultural and creative enterprises; the expansion of audiences; training, new skills, and enabling conditions for digital transition; the role of cultural and creative enterprises in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and cohesion policies; cultural welfare and the role of culture in the well-being of communities and territories.

Around ArtLab, an online community has formed, which currently boasts approximately 5,500 registered users through the web platform. This community includes operators, organizations, policymakers, public administrators, banking and philanthropic foundations, freelancers, institution leaders, and stakeholders from the cultural and entrepreneurial worlds. The year 2020 and the pandemic have radically transformed the role of the community, turning it into the digital space for events and facilitating the transformation of ArtLab into a Phygital event, with sessions available both in-person and online.