The document discusses using a benchmarking tool to analyze the policies and practices of Italian cultural institutions regarding migrants' cultural participation (MCP). It summarizes the results of a pilot research project applying the tool to several Italian museums, libraries, theaters, and opera houses. The research identified several critical hurdles those institutions face in promoting MCP, including a lack of clear mandates, dedicated budgets or staff, audience surveys, and diversity in leadership and employment. It also noted key needs like ensuring continuity beyond individual projects and ongoing professional development in diversity management for all staff. The benchmarking tool provides a structured way for cultural organizations to self-evaluate their progress in promoting MCP.

1. In collaboration with Funded by the
The benchmarking
tool
@MCPBroker
#MCPBroker

2. In collaboration with Funded by the
Using the benchmarking tool
To analyse policies and practices of Italian
cultural institutions
Simona Bodo

3. In collaboration with Funded by the
The Italian context (1)
• cultural policies still play a very marginal role in
integration processes
• no clear vision of the policy challenges posed by
migrants’ cultural participation has been
developed, nor any comprehensive cultural policy
approach can be identified, most notably at a
national level
• this gap has partly been filled by measures taken
at the regional and local level

4. In collaboration with Funded by the
The Italian context (2)
• public libraries have traditionally been at the forefront of Italian
cultural institutions’ efforts to address the issue of migrants’
cultural participation
• as for the emergence of innovative intercultural forms, “social
theatre” is by far the most experimental field on the Italian cultural
scene, with well-established companies such as Teatro dell’Argine in
Bologna, Teatro dell'Angolo in Turin, Teatro delle Albe in Ravenna
• a growing number of examples of groundbreaking intercultural
work may also be highlighted in the museum field, in spite of the
highly conservative nature of this sector (see the website “Heritage
and nterculture”, www.patrimonioeintercultura.ismu.org)

5. In collaboration with Funded by the
Name Typology
Brera National Gallery, Milan State owned museum
Museum of Peoples and Cultures, Milan Private museum (partly funded by the
Regional administration)
MAXXI (Museum of XXI Century Arts), Rome Private/public museum
City Museum of Zoology, Rome City museum
Museum of Natural History and Archaeology,
Montebelluna (Treviso)
City museum
Opera Theatre, Rome Theatre/Opera house
Auditorium Music Park, Rome Theatre/Opera house
Teatro dell’Argine, S. Lazzaro di Savena (Bologna) Theatre/Opera house
“Berio” Library, Genoa Public library
Libraries of Rome Institution Public library
MCP pilot research in Italy: selected
institutions

6. In collaboration with Funded by the
MCP pilot research in Italy: critical
hurdles identified through the
benchmarking tool (1)
• few key documents of the analysed cultural institutions state the
importance of reaching out to visitors with a migrant background as
a component of their institutional mission
• in most cases, the lack of a clear mandate and “institutional
validation” from the institution’s upper management results in a
complete reliance on the staff’s personal commitment and passion
• no budget line dedicated to MCP work is in place in most analysed
institutions: resources mainly come from fundraising (local
sponsorships, European projects)
• no audience surveys specifically aimed at addressing the issue of
MCP are carried out; programmes and activities are based not so
much on a structured analysis of visitors’ needs, as on a reflection
about the social role of the cultural institution

7. In collaboration with Funded by the
MCP pilot research in Italy: critical
hurdles identified through the
benchmarking tool (2)
• time constraints and lack of human/economic resources
hinder most institutions from establishing a more
structured network of collaborative relationships
• in very few cases, departments/units or staff are specifically
dedicated to the issue of MCP
• programmes for training of staff in diversity management
not in place in most institutions
• the issue of diversity in boards, suppliers and (with few
notable exceptions) staff is totally neglected
• low level of communication/dissemination of good
practices

8. In collaboration with Funded by the
MCP pilot research in Italy: key needs
identified through the benchmarking
tool
• ensure continuity: the critical point in advancing on
diversity management is the transition from projects to
institutional change
• create, within the institution, mechanisms/organisms for
the awareness raising and constant update of all staff
members, including those who are not directly involved in
the planning and implementation of MCP projects
• ongoing professional development: diversity management
is not just about “representation”, but also about
competence and training
• continued opportunities for sharing good practices

9. In collaboration with Funded by the
The benchmarking tool ...
• provides a structure for cultural institutions to
carry out self-evaluation
• offers a useful set of indicators to establish the
stage they have reached in the journey of
promoting migrants’ cultural participation
• empowers professionals to tackle
transformation in a systematic and
comparable way

10. In collaboration with Funded by the
@MCPBroker
#MCPBroker