«Cultural Welfare» is starting up again. The initiative of the Fondazione CR Firenze in collaboration with L’immaginario Associazione Culturale will take place at the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze for the second year.

From 13 November 2024 to 5 February 2025, our museum will host a series of events dedicated to audiences over 65 and to people with cognitive impairments or psychic discomfort, with the aim of making culture and art inclusive and accessible.

The «Cultural Welfare» project was born in 2021 as an initiative by Fondazione CR Firenze. The core idea is to ensure the right to access Cultural Heritage for the elderly and individuals with physical and cognitive differences, taking advantage of the potential of Art as a vehicle for well-being for all.

On the occasion of ‘Cultural Welfare’ 2024, the Galleria dell’Accademia is offering two guided tour itineraries specifically designed to meet the needs of the target audiences.

“Musei Oltre” is dedicated to neurodivergent people with cognitive impairments or mental health challenges. The programme aims to involve participants in museum activities designed to value their point of view, using supportive tools such as the construction of social stories. The meetings are conceived for small groups and guided by a museum educator supported by an autism educator to adapt the proposal to the specific needs of the participants.

“OverArt” is addressed to audiences of people over 65 years, offering meetings that use Art to stimulate both mind and body. The visits are organised in small groups and led by a museum educator from L’immaginario. The programme adopts a slow and participatory approach to Art, encouraging interaction and relationships between participants.

The initiative is based on a key concept: placing people at the center and making them the protagonists of their experience with art and culture, fostering an active role in interpreting the work of art and understanding its contents. An experience intended to contribute to individual and collective well-being.

Meetings are organised in small groups (7-8 people) to encourage an active participation of the audience. A plurality of languages is proposed in the courses, to explore the potential of other forms of communication besides the verbal one.

Once again this year – comments Giulia Coco, Art Historian, Head of Educational Services and Accessibility at the Galleria dell’Accademia – we enthusiastically join the “Cultural Welfare” 2024 project to facilitate the connection with a that is often perceived as difficult to access, given the large number of visitors. Additionally, this year the Cultural Welfare project also includes specific training for the Accademia Gallery staff, who will support the management of activities in order to guarantee an experience of quality and well-being and an increasingly participative welcome.

We are delighted that the Galleria dell’Accademia is also part of the Passeggiate Fiorentine initiative, offering access to one of the most iconic places of Florentine heritage – says Maria Oliva Scaramuzzi, Vice President of Fondazione CR Firenze. Our institution is committed to prioritizing welfare activities, supporting and collaborating with the leading local institutions. With this initiative, we address the issue of the accessibility to cultural venues for the elderly and frail categories with an innovative approach that focuses on art as a tool for wellbeing and combating loneliness.

Cultural Welfare 2024: Calendar of Events

OVER ART

Audience Over 65

Thursday, November 14, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Thursday, November 21, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Thursday, November 28, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Thursday, December 5, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Thursday, December 12, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Thursday, January 16, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Thursday, January 23, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Thursday, January 30, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM

MUSEI OLTRE

Audience with cognitive impairments or psychic discomfort

Wednesday, November 13, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wednesday, November 20, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday, November 27, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wednesday, December 4, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday, December 11, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wednesday, December 18, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday, January 8, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday, January 15, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wednesday, January 22, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday, January 29, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wednesday, February 5, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Information and bookings:

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
immaginario.info@gmail.com
Tel. 342 8328085

For further information, visit the website: fondazionecrfirenze.it/progetti/welfare-culturale/