Regaining a sense of belonging
Rathaus: A labyrinth of ideas
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Rathaus is a cultural arts center, a labyrinth of ideas, a cozy rat’s nest nestled in the heart of Piacenza, Italy. We host an average of six free events each week, including talks and discussion groups, film screenings, workshops, and live music. These initiatives promote active engagement and communion amongst the participants, and they are primarily developed in collaboration with residents, informal groups, and associations. We strive to create an intimate space where everyone feels at home.
Italy
Local
Piacenza, and the small towns surrounding it (Gossolengo, Pontenure, Podenzano, San Rocco, San Nicolò, Castel San Giovanni)
Mainly urban
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Yes
2024-12-31
Yes
Lights On Fellowship, ENCC, 2022
No
No
As a representative of an organisation
Rathaus opened in July 2022, and has already become a local point of reference. The project was ideated and is spearheaded by five women, all under 36—three from Italy, one from Greece, and one from the US—and our team’s diversity mirrors our vision to foster the latent transculturality of Piacenza. As local residents and creatives, we were frustrated by the lack of stimulus in our small city, and we rallied together to open an arts space where other weird folks like us who craved engagement could unite and feel at home.
Our name stems from a series of word play: inspiration from the Bauhaus movements; a revisioned idea of the German word as a space that serves the public; and “rat” is the same in both English and the Piacenza dialect, so Rathaus is a bridge between the global and local community—one rooted in tradition but quickly becoming more diverse with new residents and students from abroad. The association is affectionately referred to as Rat, and its members are endearingly known as “rattini” (little rats). This identity was adopted to lightheartedly reflect our community—perhaps a bit misunderstood by the hegemony, yet scrappy, curious, and a bit mischievous.
Rathaus is open six days a week and hosts an average of six events per week. The primary activities are workshops (literary and visual arts); intimate, participatory socio-cultural discussions and talks (including feminism, environmental issues, and anthropology), film screenings (from B-movies to documentaries), and concerts (from jazz to electronic). We also offer a space for students and young professionals to work, study and just be during the day. In addition to our monthly programming we also engage in longer-term special projects.
Rathaus is open to all ages (we have participants aged 18–88), but our programming is geared toward folks 18–45, left of center. Another primary target is the international community (both university students and residents with an immigration background).
Our name stems from a series of word play: inspiration from the Bauhaus movements; a revisioned idea of the German word as a space that serves the public; and “rat” is the same in both English and the Piacenza dialect, so Rathaus is a bridge between the global and local community—one rooted in tradition but quickly becoming more diverse with new residents and students from abroad. The association is affectionately referred to as Rat, and its members are endearingly known as “rattini” (little rats). This identity was adopted to lightheartedly reflect our community—perhaps a bit misunderstood by the hegemony, yet scrappy, curious, and a bit mischievous.
Rathaus is open six days a week and hosts an average of six events per week. The primary activities are workshops (literary and visual arts); intimate, participatory socio-cultural discussions and talks (including feminism, environmental issues, and anthropology), film screenings (from B-movies to documentaries), and concerts (from jazz to electronic). We also offer a space for students and young professionals to work, study and just be during the day. In addition to our monthly programming we also engage in longer-term special projects.
Rathaus is open to all ages (we have participants aged 18–88), but our programming is geared toward folks 18–45, left of center. Another primary target is the international community (both university students and residents with an immigration background).
camaraderie
dialogue
engagement
collaboration
exploration
As part of our transdisciplinary approach, an environmental focus is deeply rooted in our regular programming and special projects, especially in terms of building awareness amongst our residents. Piacenza, a logistics hub, is plagued by air pollution, and in this context, the climate crisis is felt at a local level. To pragmatically address this problem, we integrate environmentally focused programming throughout the year. Many of these projects are developed in collaboration with local activist groups and organizations whose work targets climate change. For example, the “Eco-Ansia” group addresses the anxiety many young people feel linked to the climate crisis, and Rathaus also hosts meetings of the activist group Fridays for Future. The project “Faster than the Planet” confronts fast fashion by encouraging individuals to make ethical decisions about clothing. This project involves a series of clothing exchanges and basic sewing and mending workshops. “Un Po’ di Plastica” (“A bit of plastic”), in collaboration with Legambiente and Plastic Free Piacenza, addressed the impact of plastic in the ocean and waterways. This project involved a screening of the documentary “Plastic Free Ocean,” a community trash pick-up day near the river, and an exhibition of plastic objects found in the river by a resident. We have also hosted two vegan festivals and many collateral veganism events to address the environmental impact of intensive farming as well as animal rights.
In terms of material consumption, we are pack rats and try to not throw anything away (our garage is a story). We repurpose materials for different projects as much as possible, and if other materials are needed, we prioritize sourcing used materials. Our collection of used books in our mini library were donated by residents, and folks can borrow the books through an informal and trust-based policy. Rathaus’ bookclub also organizes an exchange for the monthly book after a single copy is acquired.
In terms of material consumption, we are pack rats and try to not throw anything away (our garage is a story). We repurpose materials for different projects as much as possible, and if other materials are needed, we prioritize sourcing used materials. Our collection of used books in our mini library were donated by residents, and folks can borrow the books through an informal and trust-based policy. Rathaus’ bookclub also organizes an exchange for the monthly book after a single copy is acquired.
Locals often lament that Piacenza lacks cultural opportunities, describing the city as "sad" and "boring." Despite this context, we opened Rathaus with the belief that Piacenza has the potential for change. While the city does offer many concerts (which bloomed post-pandemic), outside of Rathaus participatory cultural initiatives are few and far between. We fill this gap by offering a regular calendar of cultural programming that is free of charge and primarily developed in collaboration with local residents.
We believe that people are complex and cannot be typecast into segmented audience groups. Stemming from this vision to avoid strict labels, our programming ranges from open mic nights to discussions of true crime and sociology to poetry clubs to fanzine markets. Despite this range, our audience is defined as local residents who seek informal, participatory, and left-of-center experiences in the arts. While some members only attend a specific type of event (for example, literary or musical), many of our participants attend a variety of events—they are simply curious minds looking to connect and engage.
Our core programming philosophy is to offer events that directly engage participants and foster dialogue both in terms of a moderated discussion (e.g., during talks or book clubs, after film screenings) or through informal social conversations (e.g., during a making workshop). Limited opportunities exist for individuals to strike up a conversation with a stranger in Piacenza. Rathaus is one of the exceptions, and we have been witness to a number of new friendships and collaborations that have manifested as a result of engagement between various participants. Since 2022, Rathaus has also evolved into the community’s “third place” (after one’s work/school and home), indicating its creative-placemaking success. Daily, our “regulars” pop in for a hot tea and a chat, knowing they will find a friend amongst the staff, but more importantly among the other members.
We believe that people are complex and cannot be typecast into segmented audience groups. Stemming from this vision to avoid strict labels, our programming ranges from open mic nights to discussions of true crime and sociology to poetry clubs to fanzine markets. Despite this range, our audience is defined as local residents who seek informal, participatory, and left-of-center experiences in the arts. While some members only attend a specific type of event (for example, literary or musical), many of our participants attend a variety of events—they are simply curious minds looking to connect and engage.
Our core programming philosophy is to offer events that directly engage participants and foster dialogue both in terms of a moderated discussion (e.g., during talks or book clubs, after film screenings) or through informal social conversations (e.g., during a making workshop). Limited opportunities exist for individuals to strike up a conversation with a stranger in Piacenza. Rathaus is one of the exceptions, and we have been witness to a number of new friendships and collaborations that have manifested as a result of engagement between various participants. Since 2022, Rathaus has also evolved into the community’s “third place” (after one’s work/school and home), indicating its creative-placemaking success. Daily, our “regulars” pop in for a hot tea and a chat, knowing they will find a friend amongst the staff, but more importantly among the other members.
Rathaus serves as a safe, diverse, inclusive and accessible space for all, but we strive to actively welcome folks who do not match the local hegemony. Piacenza is rather politically conservative, and many marginalized groups (the queer and international communities) are often underrepresented in public spaces, but Rathaus serves as an oasis for such groups. Our initiatives are also geared to appealing to the quirky, timid, and misunderstood. In other words, we are a social space for the socially awkward.
Our business model entails that our programming is primarily financed through the income from our bistrot. Since Italy requires nonprofits that serve food/beverage to be membership-based (“circolo”) and affiliated with a national network (e.g., ARCI), our events are free but reserved to ARCI members. The annual membership costs 10€ (8€ goes to ARCI) and is valid at all the nearly 5,000 ARCI centers. Despite this obstacle, we have over 1,500 registered members.
Located in an 18th c. palazzo, 1/3 of Rathaus is ground level, but the rest is elevated by four steps. Those who use a wheelchair can reach the elevated area by using a ramp from the secondary, private entrance. While this aspect is not ideal, we mitigate this challenge as much as possible given the restrictions to structurally modify the space. The center also has a new, accessible bathroom.
Mindful of our international community, we offer events in both Italian and English, and all our staff communicate in at least these two languages, which is not always common for public spaces in Piacenza.
The team that manages the programming uses a flat hierarchy, and this aspect informs our collaborations with our community. Through conversations and relationship building with our members, we strive to encourage those interested in a specific topic to propose events. This process often manifests as a scaffolded process as a member works with one or two team members to bring their vision to life.
Our business model entails that our programming is primarily financed through the income from our bistrot. Since Italy requires nonprofits that serve food/beverage to be membership-based (“circolo”) and affiliated with a national network (e.g., ARCI), our events are free but reserved to ARCI members. The annual membership costs 10€ (8€ goes to ARCI) and is valid at all the nearly 5,000 ARCI centers. Despite this obstacle, we have over 1,500 registered members.
Located in an 18th c. palazzo, 1/3 of Rathaus is ground level, but the rest is elevated by four steps. Those who use a wheelchair can reach the elevated area by using a ramp from the secondary, private entrance. While this aspect is not ideal, we mitigate this challenge as much as possible given the restrictions to structurally modify the space. The center also has a new, accessible bathroom.
Mindful of our international community, we offer events in both Italian and English, and all our staff communicate in at least these two languages, which is not always common for public spaces in Piacenza.
The team that manages the programming uses a flat hierarchy, and this aspect informs our collaborations with our community. Through conversations and relationship building with our members, we strive to encourage those interested in a specific topic to propose events. This process often manifests as a scaffolded process as a member works with one or two team members to bring their vision to life.
Rathaus prioritizes creative expression and offers opportunities for discovery, encounter, and dialogue through cultural experiences. We strive to co-develop initiatives and collaborate with local residents, creatives, informal groups, and organizations. Pursuing a more horizontal and collaborative approach to programming has three primary effects:
- Offering programming that arises directly from proposals by and collaborations with local residents allows us to offer a wide variety of cultural opportunities that better reflect the diversity of Piacenza. In turn, residents are more encouraged to attend and actively participate as a member of Rathaus.
- The opportunity to propose and co-organize events and projects allows citizens to assume the role of cultural leaders. By involving our participants in the collective decision-making process to propose and lead events, we foster the empowerment of the residents of Piacenza.
- Prioritizing initiatives that involve active participation and public engagement in a homey, welcoming atmosphere has allowed us to considerably strengthen community building in Piacenza. Even prior to the pandemic many residents of Piacenza were conscious of how difficult it was to make new friends and connections in the city. The creation of Rathaus as a cultural living room, where social connections are fostered through the participation in arts programming (often amongst individuals from different social groups) has offered a pragmatic response to the need of many residents to feel belonging and community. We have also built close relationships with members who come in regularly for a coffee and a chat and return in the evening to attend our events. As a result of such community building, many of these individuals feel moved to propose and lead initiatives at Rathaus.
Rathaus harnesses the city’s potential as an artistic laboratory by using the arts as an instrument to stimulate connection, empathy, and empowerment among individuals.
- Offering programming that arises directly from proposals by and collaborations with local residents allows us to offer a wide variety of cultural opportunities that better reflect the diversity of Piacenza. In turn, residents are more encouraged to attend and actively participate as a member of Rathaus.
- The opportunity to propose and co-organize events and projects allows citizens to assume the role of cultural leaders. By involving our participants in the collective decision-making process to propose and lead events, we foster the empowerment of the residents of Piacenza.
- Prioritizing initiatives that involve active participation and public engagement in a homey, welcoming atmosphere has allowed us to considerably strengthen community building in Piacenza. Even prior to the pandemic many residents of Piacenza were conscious of how difficult it was to make new friends and connections in the city. The creation of Rathaus as a cultural living room, where social connections are fostered through the participation in arts programming (often amongst individuals from different social groups) has offered a pragmatic response to the need of many residents to feel belonging and community. We have also built close relationships with members who come in regularly for a coffee and a chat and return in the evening to attend our events. As a result of such community building, many of these individuals feel moved to propose and lead initiatives at Rathaus.
Rathaus harnesses the city’s potential as an artistic laboratory by using the arts as an instrument to stimulate connection, empathy, and empowerment among individuals.
While Rathaus was conceived by the determination of five citizens, it persists today thanks to stakeholders at various levels.
In October 2021 we joined ARCI, the national network of circoli, and the local branch helped us navigate bureaucratic obstacles early on. Since opening in 2022 we have engaged in various projects with ARCI at the local and regional levels and we have developed partnerships with various local film and music associations affiliated with ARC.
In November 2021 we won the regional grant Incredibol!, which offered us an essential startup investment as well as consulting support to navigate bureaucratic challenges prior to opening the center in July 2022. In July 2022 we were awarded a 30k grant from Fondazione Vismara; their financial and moral support was essential, allowing us to elevate the offer of concerts, workshops, and film screenings in the first 17 months of the project. Rathaus has also been awarded grants from the local municipality, the local bank foundation, and Iren (the national waste management company).
From July to October 2022 co-founder Lesley McBride participated in ENCC’s Lights On staff exchange program, and this experience offered us constructive feedback on how to continue the project and improve it, especially in the first few months of being open.
Furthermore, Rathaus’ success is hinged on our relationships and partnerships with our local community, composed of associations, informal groups, and individual residents and artists. We have over 1,500 registered members, and many more who are registered with another ARCI circolo. Not only do these entities participate in the activities and projects hosted at Rathaus, but many of these individuals and groups are direct partners with whom we collaboratively develop programming. The union of this expansive network of collaborators, partners, and participants brought together through Rathaus has nurtured a strong sense of community and cultural synergy.
In October 2021 we joined ARCI, the national network of circoli, and the local branch helped us navigate bureaucratic obstacles early on. Since opening in 2022 we have engaged in various projects with ARCI at the local and regional levels and we have developed partnerships with various local film and music associations affiliated with ARC.
In November 2021 we won the regional grant Incredibol!, which offered us an essential startup investment as well as consulting support to navigate bureaucratic challenges prior to opening the center in July 2022. In July 2022 we were awarded a 30k grant from Fondazione Vismara; their financial and moral support was essential, allowing us to elevate the offer of concerts, workshops, and film screenings in the first 17 months of the project. Rathaus has also been awarded grants from the local municipality, the local bank foundation, and Iren (the national waste management company).
From July to October 2022 co-founder Lesley McBride participated in ENCC’s Lights On staff exchange program, and this experience offered us constructive feedback on how to continue the project and improve it, especially in the first few months of being open.
Furthermore, Rathaus’ success is hinged on our relationships and partnerships with our local community, composed of associations, informal groups, and individual residents and artists. We have over 1,500 registered members, and many more who are registered with another ARCI circolo. Not only do these entities participate in the activities and projects hosted at Rathaus, but many of these individuals and groups are direct partners with whom we collaboratively develop programming. The union of this expansive network of collaborators, partners, and participants brought together through Rathaus has nurtured a strong sense of community and cultural synergy.
The disciplines and knowledge fields of the programming of Rathaus are in part based on the interests and expertise of the co-founders and in part infused with the direct feedback and proposals from our members (1,500) and partners (individuals, informal groups, associations).
Rathaus incorporates a multitude of creative disciplines, spanning the visual arts (illustration, mosaics, ceramics), literary arts (poetry readings, writing workshops), music (concerts and open mic nights), and film (screenings, stop motion workshops) as well as a wide range of socio-cultural issues, but specifically feminism, eco-consciousness, queer liberation, and transculturalism.
Where organically possible, we try to connect creative projects to socio-cultural topics, in particular with our special projects. For example, the project “STILL” (2023) involved examining unused spaces in Piacenza and the enviro-socio impact of wasteful land use. The group of 25 participants (ages 18–35) visited four abandoned sites in the city center, and the project culminated in an exhibition of their photographs of the sites. For the exhibition "Ciò che possiedi ti possiede" (“What you own owns you”) that challenged consumption, we organized a workshop with a group of 10 participants who ironically responded to the topic by making collages using magazines (from the 1950s to today). These individual works were exhibited along with a fanzine that compiled the works together. Other examples of transdisciplinary initiatives include a woodworking workshop to build beds for shelter animals; a mending workshop as part of a larger project to address fast fashion; a workshop to collectively sew protest banners for Labor Day.
Despite the theme or media, each event/initiative is developed to foster connection between the participants and create safe spaces for creation and dialogue. This wide roster of disciplines and knowledge fields reflects the varied interests and passions of our participants.
Rathaus incorporates a multitude of creative disciplines, spanning the visual arts (illustration, mosaics, ceramics), literary arts (poetry readings, writing workshops), music (concerts and open mic nights), and film (screenings, stop motion workshops) as well as a wide range of socio-cultural issues, but specifically feminism, eco-consciousness, queer liberation, and transculturalism.
Where organically possible, we try to connect creative projects to socio-cultural topics, in particular with our special projects. For example, the project “STILL” (2023) involved examining unused spaces in Piacenza and the enviro-socio impact of wasteful land use. The group of 25 participants (ages 18–35) visited four abandoned sites in the city center, and the project culminated in an exhibition of their photographs of the sites. For the exhibition "Ciò che possiedi ti possiede" (“What you own owns you”) that challenged consumption, we organized a workshop with a group of 10 participants who ironically responded to the topic by making collages using magazines (from the 1950s to today). These individual works were exhibited along with a fanzine that compiled the works together. Other examples of transdisciplinary initiatives include a woodworking workshop to build beds for shelter animals; a mending workshop as part of a larger project to address fast fashion; a workshop to collectively sew protest banners for Labor Day.
Despite the theme or media, each event/initiative is developed to foster connection between the participants and create safe spaces for creation and dialogue. This wide roster of disciplines and knowledge fields reflects the varied interests and passions of our participants.
As we dreamed up Rathaus, we thoroughly researched similar cultural organizations in Italy and abroad that reflected our values; we drew on their strengths and adapted aspects to the particular context of Piacenza. Even if such a model that combines culture and social aggregation is present in other contexts in the world, similar spaces simply did not previously exist in our town. Therefore, the concept and activities of Rathaus are completely innovative in the local context—we are the only space that offers near daily cultural programming for young people in Piacenza.
What sets Rathaus apart from other institutions is that our team operates through a completely flat hierarchy. While this democratic structure presents its own challenges, overall it allows changes to be instituted and immediately tested, while allowing each teammember to be equally engaged. Moreover, our programming is structured based on our values of the democratization of culture through which decisions from residents directly and indirectly inform our programming and special projects.
Rathaus also serves as an example of an economically sustainable cultural center for other organizations in non-metropolitan spaces. While many other spaces in Italy and in Europe have access to heavily subsidized or free spaces, we pay rent to a private landlord (2,200€/month). Launching the project also required an investment of 25,000€ toward the required renovations (we took out a loan) and a bank security of 20,000€ (we saved up 10k for two consecutive years). This level of investment (and risk) is objectively uncommon for many in the third sector, let alone a group of women all under 35 at the time of the project launch. Despite the high overhead, we have been able to nimbly and pragmatically navigate develop and manage the project.
What sets Rathaus apart from other institutions is that our team operates through a completely flat hierarchy. While this democratic structure presents its own challenges, overall it allows changes to be instituted and immediately tested, while allowing each teammember to be equally engaged. Moreover, our programming is structured based on our values of the democratization of culture through which decisions from residents directly and indirectly inform our programming and special projects.
Rathaus also serves as an example of an economically sustainable cultural center for other organizations in non-metropolitan spaces. While many other spaces in Italy and in Europe have access to heavily subsidized or free spaces, we pay rent to a private landlord (2,200€/month). Launching the project also required an investment of 25,000€ toward the required renovations (we took out a loan) and a bank security of 20,000€ (we saved up 10k for two consecutive years). This level of investment (and risk) is objectively uncommon for many in the third sector, let alone a group of women all under 35 at the time of the project launch. Despite the high overhead, we have been able to nimbly and pragmatically navigate develop and manage the project.
Aside from providing an array of programming—which is developed by the team of creatives who manage Rathaus and/or by individuals, informal groups, and other associations—Rathaus aims to empower individuals as cultural leaders.
Our methodology is based on academic approaches and best practices from the cultural sector that focus on the empowerment of participants, including the Audience Centered Experience Design by Adeste+ and the Youth Program Quality Assessment, which emphasize cyclical improvement by subsequently integrating feedback. While many of our niche events engage an intimate number (c. 10 participants), other events are linked to higher numbers (c. 50–80). With this discrepancy in mind we balance quantitative and qualitative data to analyze the success of the events.
Being grassroots oriented is also integral to our approach. We regularly engage in informal conversation with our members, and this practice fosters the development and nurture of close and lasting friendships. As these relationships grow, our members are further encouraged both to attend our programming and to suggest improvements to events or propose new projects. Rathaus’s manner of operating in an informal capacity also encourages individuals/associations to make project proposals through casual conversations with the team, and then we organize more structured meetings to further develop the idea. Other proposals are received through mail and social media pages, and then we evaluate them based on their connection to our programming and values, feasibility, cost, and calendar availability. If the proposal meets these criteria we set-up additional meetings to discuss the plan further. Such proposals are also managed in scaffolded manner in which our staff offers as much direct support as needed to our collaborators, which ranges from projects co-led with staff to projects that are mostly autonomously led by the member or groups who made the proposal, with minimal staff engagement.
Our methodology is based on academic approaches and best practices from the cultural sector that focus on the empowerment of participants, including the Audience Centered Experience Design by Adeste+ and the Youth Program Quality Assessment, which emphasize cyclical improvement by subsequently integrating feedback. While many of our niche events engage an intimate number (c. 10 participants), other events are linked to higher numbers (c. 50–80). With this discrepancy in mind we balance quantitative and qualitative data to analyze the success of the events.
Being grassroots oriented is also integral to our approach. We regularly engage in informal conversation with our members, and this practice fosters the development and nurture of close and lasting friendships. As these relationships grow, our members are further encouraged both to attend our programming and to suggest improvements to events or propose new projects. Rathaus’s manner of operating in an informal capacity also encourages individuals/associations to make project proposals through casual conversations with the team, and then we organize more structured meetings to further develop the idea. Other proposals are received through mail and social media pages, and then we evaluate them based on their connection to our programming and values, feasibility, cost, and calendar availability. If the proposal meets these criteria we set-up additional meetings to discuss the plan further. Such proposals are also managed in scaffolded manner in which our staff offers as much direct support as needed to our collaborators, which ranges from projects co-led with staff to projects that are mostly autonomously led by the member or groups who made the proposal, with minimal staff engagement.
Piacenza is not unlike many other smaller cities in Italy, in Europe, in the world, in the sense that informal, cultural engagement is not readily available, and the limited existing experiences are generally institutionalized or inaccessible. We opened Rathaus to address what we perceived as cultural stagnancy (observed even prior to the pandemic), particularly for younger people who were interested in expanding their world view and engaging with the other. Since we opened in July 2022, we have been met with significant success, even amongst a population that considers itself a bit closed off and hesitant to new experiences. Our belief is that this need for informal, grassroots cultural participation is universal.
Not only is Rathaus a place for young people, but many of the events are intergenerational. This aspect delightfully deviated from our original assumption, and the engagement of many individuals over 50 (and 60, 70) reflects that a desire to participate amongst a width audience was waiting to be satisfied.
Our hypothesis is such context is similar for many other small towns, and the general model of Rathaus could be replicated in an adaptive manner to the local context. The model of directly engaging residents in the collective decision-making of cultural programming is also replicable. The challenge therein is to authentically and gradually nurture relationships with other partners, both residents and organizations. Such a process must be developed over time in a scaffolded manner.
Through these guiding objectives, other cultural centers can also harness their city’s potential as an artistic laboratory by collaborating with residents to co-develop cultural happenings and stimulate social engagement and exchange.
Economically the model could be replicated by a group renting a modest space, and income from bar services could be used to self-sustain programming led by volunteers, especially in the case of limited grant funding.
Not only is Rathaus a place for young people, but many of the events are intergenerational. This aspect delightfully deviated from our original assumption, and the engagement of many individuals over 50 (and 60, 70) reflects that a desire to participate amongst a width audience was waiting to be satisfied.
Our hypothesis is such context is similar for many other small towns, and the general model of Rathaus could be replicated in an adaptive manner to the local context. The model of directly engaging residents in the collective decision-making of cultural programming is also replicable. The challenge therein is to authentically and gradually nurture relationships with other partners, both residents and organizations. Such a process must be developed over time in a scaffolded manner.
Through these guiding objectives, other cultural centers can also harness their city’s potential as an artistic laboratory by collaborating with residents to co-develop cultural happenings and stimulate social engagement and exchange.
Economically the model could be replicated by a group renting a modest space, and income from bar services could be used to self-sustain programming led by volunteers, especially in the case of limited grant funding.
Rathaus aspires to serve as a regional, national, and international example of a progressive, globally oriented arts space that is radically rooted in the local community. Piacenza is a paradigm of many smaller cities in Europe: it is often overshadowed by larger cities; the cultural offerings for young people are minimal; its population is characterized by a diverse and growing community of immigrants (28%); and such cultural diversity is often (intentionally) hidden. In response to these dynamics, we offer a wide range of programming that is geared toward to actively engaging young people in culture and creating a homey space that fosters an inclusive and diverse environment for all local residents.
Our programming is open to everyone, but our primary target is young people ages 18–40, which includes a mix of young people originally from Piacenza as well as members of the international community that is composed of university students, coming primarily from Iran, Turkey, and Eastern Europe, as well as workers who have moved here from abroad. A growing number of these non-Italian citizens residing in Piacenza express the desire to stay long-term, but they highlight that full integration into the community is often hindered. This challenge is commonplace in many other Italian cities and likely in many European cities as well. The intentional engagement of such groups in our programming as both participants and leaders of events/projects valorizes the latent cultural wealth of the city, empowers the individuals’ voices, and nurtures residents who are originally from Italy to have greater empathy for the other.
Regarding our programming, we also keep a focus on global issues and other cultures to foster empathy and activism where possible. Many events and initiatives are linked to climate change, covering various facets such as plastic use, veganism, and consumerism, through talks, documentaries, workshops, and exhibitions.
Our programming is open to everyone, but our primary target is young people ages 18–40, which includes a mix of young people originally from Piacenza as well as members of the international community that is composed of university students, coming primarily from Iran, Turkey, and Eastern Europe, as well as workers who have moved here from abroad. A growing number of these non-Italian citizens residing in Piacenza express the desire to stay long-term, but they highlight that full integration into the community is often hindered. This challenge is commonplace in many other Italian cities and likely in many European cities as well. The intentional engagement of such groups in our programming as both participants and leaders of events/projects valorizes the latent cultural wealth of the city, empowers the individuals’ voices, and nurtures residents who are originally from Italy to have greater empathy for the other.
Regarding our programming, we also keep a focus on global issues and other cultures to foster empathy and activism where possible. Many events and initiatives are linked to climate change, covering various facets such as plastic use, veganism, and consumerism, through talks, documentaries, workshops, and exhibitions.
The category that is most aligned to the mission of Rathaus is “Regaining a sense of belonging.” Aside from offering cultural programming, our primary aim is to foster a close-knit and collaborative community in which existing members feel like family and new members are instantly welcomed. Since July 2022 we have organically cultivated this sensation. More than a mere cultural center, Rathaus is more like a public living room, where everyone feels at home.
Our efforts to expand the offer of cultural events in Piacenza is coupled with the goals to 1) further promote opportunities for participants to express themselves and connect with their peers to form new friendships and collaborations for future projects, 2) encourage locals to propose their own empower local residents as leaders and change-makers, 3) stimulate the integration of the foreign community and that of local residents and to foster greater empathy for the other.
Nurturing such belonging and community building is coupled with our practice of integrating proposals from our members into our programming offer. The opportunity to propose and co-organize events and activities permits citizens to assume the role of cultural practitioners, thinkers, and leaders. We believe that such engagement encourages residents to continue to propose cultural projects and activities in the future for the community, through Rathaus as well as through other organizations in Piacenza.
Over the past year, a number of new organizations (formal and informal and predominatly led by young people) have been developed, and many of these have developed as a direct result from “cultural contamination” with other individuals and organizations through both programming and informal socialization at Rathaus. Launching a new initiative is challenging, but having the community support is essential. We look forward to growing in the future as an incubator of creative pursuits, hosted at Rathaus and also outside our walls.
Our efforts to expand the offer of cultural events in Piacenza is coupled with the goals to 1) further promote opportunities for participants to express themselves and connect with their peers to form new friendships and collaborations for future projects, 2) encourage locals to propose their own empower local residents as leaders and change-makers, 3) stimulate the integration of the foreign community and that of local residents and to foster greater empathy for the other.
Nurturing such belonging and community building is coupled with our practice of integrating proposals from our members into our programming offer. The opportunity to propose and co-organize events and activities permits citizens to assume the role of cultural practitioners, thinkers, and leaders. We believe that such engagement encourages residents to continue to propose cultural projects and activities in the future for the community, through Rathaus as well as through other organizations in Piacenza.
Over the past year, a number of new organizations (formal and informal and predominatly led by young people) have been developed, and many of these have developed as a direct result from “cultural contamination” with other individuals and organizations through both programming and informal socialization at Rathaus. Launching a new initiative is challenging, but having the community support is essential. We look forward to growing in the future as an incubator of creative pursuits, hosted at Rathaus and also outside our walls.
