Abstract

The history of Bologna has been shaped by the quality and capability of innovation within its welfare systems, from healthcare and social services to issues regarding inclusion and social integration. No less important is the role that the city has played in the cultural field, from a planning and management viewpoint as well. In view of the start of the «Metropolitan City of Bologna» project, currently being implemented, the municipality has drawn up a Metropolitan Strategic Plan which opens a path to sustainable change, in order to improve the community's quality of life. In tandem with the launch of the program, four boards have been constituted, which have led in turn to the individuation of 67 projects to be carried out. Of these, the 'Cultural Welfare: Multiple Arts' project has a focus on creating a 'Community of Arts' for the production, research and experimentation on artistic forms of social interaction, where art and culture are strictly intertwined with solidarity and promotion of the well-being. Thanks to a responsive environment, it has been possible to build up such a community relatively swiftly, through links between various organisations in the area of culture, together with the main cultural institutions of the city, such as the Department of Educational Sciences of the University of Bologna, the Academy of Fine Arts, the MAMbo Museum of Modern Art, and the Teatro Comunale Foundation of Bologna. 'Cultural Welfare: Multiple Arts' represents one of the most advanced examples in Italy of interaction between cultural, social and regional development policies, as well as local authorities and private companies.