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Experience

How only a good experience can become a return.
Sensory, cognitive, emotional approaches, mediation, engagement.

Every person, with their own complexity, has a very personal cognitive experience of a cultural place, but even before that a sensory one, and why not, also an emotional one.
This section explores some of the multiple approaches to cultural experience, capturing tones and nuances useful for making every experience an opportunity for a return. It talks about communication, mediation, engagement.

GLAM

Cultural participation? It is (still) a privilege

Examples of intercultural and community practices that reduce barriers

The text analyzes the social and cultural barriers that in Italy limit access to cultural life, considered a citizenship right and a form of community relationship. Beyond physical, economic, or territorial obstacles, symbolic and ritual signals especially weigh, making culture perceived as an elitist space, excluding those who do not master its codes. The dominant cultural imagery, not very representative of the diversity present in the country, marginalizes stories and memories of underrepresented groups, particularly people with migratory backgrounds. The text presents examples of intercultural and community practices that reduce these barriers by making museums and libraries shared and participatory places. For these changes to become structural, long-term policies based on participatory governance, linguistic plurality, and redistribution of cultural power are needed. The final challenge is to redefine the 'we' of Italian culture, recognizing diversity as a resource and condition for a broader cultural democracy.

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Glossary

The words of experience (accessible) in cultural venues.

A

Activism

Museums, and the narratives they propose, can be neither objective nor neutral: it is from this awareness that we must rethink the way heritage is exhibited, interpreted, and communicated. We hope that in the design of exhibitions, museums, and generally in shared living spaces, non-conforming minds and bodies will be considered, dismantling the idea of a ‘norm’ by which environments and events are still organized. 
We believe that museums, exhibition spaces, and cultural institutions can be essential promoters of a change towards a more equitable society. 

[Gruppo di Lavoro Accessibilità, ICOM Italia, 10 parole, 2024, edited by Irene Balzani, Sofia Bilotta, Rosa Di Lecce, Irene Innocente, Federica Pascotto]

Activism

Activism word
W

Well-being

The contribution of culture and museums to the improvement of individual and collective well-being and health is now widely recognized. Museums can have a positive impact on people’s psychological well-being and mental health by helping to reduce stress, stimulate creativity, critical thinking, and social interaction. 
Ensuring broad accessibility (creating conditions that promote the physical, mental, and emotional comfort of visitors) therefore also means contributing to improving health as a fundamental right of the individual and the community. 

[Gruppo di Lavoro Accessibilità, ICOM Italia, 10 parole, 2024, edited by Irene Balzani, Sofia Bilotta, Rosa Di Lecce, Irene Innocente, Federica Pascotto]

Well-being

Prato, Centro per l'Arte Contemporanea Luigi Pecci. Laboratorio di attivita espressive rivolto a persone con Parkinson negli spazi della mostra "Eccentrica", Dance Well.
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Download Area

Selection of resources for consultation and download on the theme of "participation and cultural co-design".