#art #citizenship #Erasmus+#schools #Europe
Status: project in progress (September 2025 – January 2026)
Locations: Bologna (Italy), Utrecht (Netherlands)
“Room with a View” is an Erasmus+ project carried out by Biografilm in collaboration with Archilabò and the Dutch organizations ClickF1 and KOPA. In partnership with a vocational school in Utrecht (Netherlands), a class from the Keynes Institute in Castel Maggiore (BO) and a class from the Scappi Institute in Castel San Pietro Terme (BO) will be guided in the creation of a multidisciplinary artistic project by artists Cristina Portolano and Chiara Trivelli that reflects their perspectives on the founding values of the European Union.This will take place through a training day, followed by workshops in schools, culminating in an exhibition to be held in January at the Salaborsa in Bologna.
The exhibition will be accompanied by thematic meetings and guided tours of the library's archaeological excavations, which are open to all middle and high schools in Emilia-Romagna upon reservation. This is a valuable opportunity to offer students an engaging and interdisciplinary educational experience.
At the same time, Dutch classes will organize an exhibition in Utrecht with the same format and themes, which will open on November 17, 2025. On that occasion, trainers from Biografilm, Archilabò, and one teacher from each Italian school will travel to the Netherlands. This will be the first stage of an international exchange between schools, which is set to expand in future editions.
At the heart of the project is the goal of offering students autonomy and creative freedom, allowing them to express their opinions through artistic languages. In most vocational education programs, students are often prepared to adapt to society, unlike their peers in academic programs, where they are more frequently encouraged to think critically and contribute to social change. This difference contributes to widening the gap between the citizens of tomorrow.
With this program, we want to bridge that gap, recognizing that vocational training students rarely have opportunities to make their voices heard. We want to give them back their confidence, a sense of agency, and the tools to actively participate in building the future. Through artistic and creative practices, we offer a space where they can develop and shape their ideas.
Time schedule
September 18, 2025 - training: from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Sala Borsa Library, Conference Room, second floor: introductory training event with students, trainers, and participating artists.
October 2025 - preparation: Workshops and training at the participating institutions.
November 2025 - production: Artistic production by students.
from 20 to 27 January 2026 - final exhibition at the Sala Incontri of the Salaborsa.
Objectives
To co-create, together with teachers, artists, and students, a new innovative methodology that adapts to the learning objectives of citizenship in vocational education and training institutions.
To teach vocational school students autonomy and creative freedom to express their perspectives on citizenship through artistic means.
To improve students' digital skills and abilities.
Facilitate the development of identity, citizenship, and European values in vocational school students.
Encourage twinning between European educational institutions.
Promote the exchange of best practices between teachers from schools in the local area and different countries.
