PERFORMING ARTS SHOWS
FILM SCREENINGS
INITIATIVES IN LIBRARIES
OFFER
Circus shows, live contemporary music, traditional dances, book clubs, open air film screenings, guided tours, festivals of all kinds… these are just a fews instances of what the regional cultural offer can propose.
The stakeholders involved, imagining and implementing artistic initiatives, are distributed pretty evenly on the territory: local entities, institutions, Third Sector, artists and enterprises contribute to developing a heterogeneous and diverse offer.
In the last decade, also thanks to specific cultural policies, organizations have managed to rethink the services and products available: there are more and more initiatives aimed at experimenting with new artistic languages, at promoting traditions by exploring new techniques, and at innovating methods by co-designing with audiences.
Cultural offer and participation are, indeed, two sides of the same coin. A manifold and innovative artistic proposal can lead to an increase in the number of people involved in creative activities, generating tangible social and economic impact.
Actions designed to interest citizens with different backgrounds can encourage social inclusion and wellbeing: several studies have demonstrated the positive effects generated by cultural participation on health. Furthermore, a varied pool of creative and leisure activities works in favor of territorial attractiveness: it can stimulate new types of tourism, with positive externalities on other sectors, such as hospitality and commerce.
The regional cultural offer takes place in a wide array of spaces, from the more traditional ones – museums, libraries, cinemas, theatres – up to arts hubs and cultural centers, independent spaces run by young generations which characterize the cultural model of the Emilia-Romagna region.
Cultural consumption in this region is among the highest in Italy. Needless to say, though, Covid19 has left a mark: the pandemic has led to a decrease in the overall cultural spending, however it also led to renewed digital proposals which have been of the essence to address the lack of social contacts during lockdowns.
Performing arts shows
Performing arts initiatives are scattered throughout the territory, more or less evenly both in big cities and small towns. They are an instrument fostering territorial development and social cohesion: its articulated offer can tackle several types of desires, from traditional plays to experimental research theatre, from opera to social theatre, to puppetry. Furthermore, participation and boxoffice have always registered good results.
Film screening
The film industry has been experiencing a complex phase both in terms of contents and distributions: these transformations are namely due to the digital revolution.
Technology-driven innovation and new habits have paved the way for new opportunities, making films and TV-shows a relevant part of our daily lives: the great variety of platforms allows the audience to access any type of audiovisual products at all times.
At the same time, these changes have uncovered new challenges this sector needs to face, especially regarding the screening in cinemas. Nevertheless, it is safe to say that movie theatres and arenas still play a pivotal role: they enhance the social vibes of cities and are places where people can meet and foster a sense of belonging.
These spaces are not only a place to watch the latest film: initiatives range from side events to actions developed in collaboration with local administrations and networks. This approach is even more important now that these players need to think strategically to attract the audience back in movie theatres, after the crisis generated by Covid-19.
Initiatives in libraries
In 2019, libraries in Emilia-Romagna have planned and organized more than 27.000 initiatives.
The events show the many-sided nature of these structures: not only are they a cultural space but also a hub for the development of communities and for self-improvement. Their offer spans from programmes to foster reading, to book clubs, to festivals, to infodesks. Moreover, in small towns, libraries are places where people can meet, exchange and grow.
Libraries have demonstrated to be extremely versatile: they can preserve and promote their heritage but also create new paradigms based on experience.

Supply and demand of performing arts and audiovisual products in Emilia-Romagna – 2020
26 November 2020
Movie theatres and their good practices
29 November 2019
The audience of cinema festivals
25 November 2019