The Italian local activity of the SPIRAL project promoted the well-being of young people aged 17 to 24 experiencing mental health challenges through a community-based and peer-to-peer approach centred on the performing arts.

Born from the collaboration between ULSS 9 Verona and Fondazione AIDA ets, the initiative combined cultural expression and care practices to support social inclusion and personal growth among participants.

A group of young people, guided by the educators of Fondazione AIDA, took part in theatre and movement workshops designed to stimulate creativity, communication, and self-awareness.

Through improvisation, body work, and participation in local cultural events, the activity helped reduce isolation, strengthen self-esteem, and develop expressive and relational skills.

By merging artistic experience with a community health perspective, the project demonstrated how culture can serve as a concrete tool for emotional well-being and social integration.

The SPIRAL labs, organised by Fondazione AIDA, were conceived as spaces for creativity, expression, and inclusion through the practice of theatre and movement.

Based on the idea that “theatre is a place where everything becomes possible”, the workshops aimed to support young participants—particularly those facing social or psychological difficulties—by helping them rediscover confidence, connection, and expressive ability.

The sessions combined physical warm-ups, coordination games, improvisation, and non-verbal movement exercises, encouraging participants to explore their emotions and communicate beyond words.

Led by facilitators Eliana Crestani and Alice Canovi, the activities gradually fostered body awareness, mutual trust, and group cooperation, allowing participants to experience the joy of artistic creation in a safe and inclusive environment.

Through this process, participants learned to perceive their bodies not as objects of judgment but as expressive and creative instruments. The workshops promoted self-esteem, emotional awareness, and social interaction, reinforcing a sense of belonging to a welcoming community where everyone had a voice and a role.

Eliana Crestani, an actress, director, and theatre trainer, has long worked on European projects and expressive education programs for adolescents and young adults, with a particular focus on inclusion and personal development through the arts.

Alice Canovi, educator and theatre practitioner, has gained experience in educational and social contexts, specialising in artistic and body-based methodologies aimed at fostering well-being and human connection.

On January 31, 2025, a two-hour workshop titled “Theatrical and Musical Methods for Inclusive Artistic Learning” was held at the Centro Polifunzionale di Ponte Crencano in Verona.

Organised by Fondazione AIDA ets within the framework of the Erasmus+ SPIRAL project, the session brought together social workers, educators, and cultural professionals interested in inclusive art practices.

The workshop focused on movement and theatre as tools for expression, communication, and non-verbal connection.

Through a combination of vocal, musical, and physical exercises, participants explored the potential of the performing arts to foster empathy and inclusion within educational and care settings.

Conducted in English and enriched by the presence of international trainers, the session encouraged intercultural and professional exchange.

The event provided a meaningful opportunity to share creative methodologies aimed at emotional awareness and artistic accessibility, strengthening the SPIRAL project’s goal of developing innovative curricula for truly inclusive arts education.

The presentation reaffirmed the project’s European vision, which aims to integrate artistic education, social engagement, and therapeutic practice, and to develop sustainable methodologies for inclusion through creativity.

The event was widely appreciated by educators, social workers, and cultural professionals, who recognised SPIRAL as a valuable contribution to the European dialogue on accessibility and inclusive artistic practices within the Erasmus+ framework.On 30 April 2025, at the Sala da Lisca Cavalli in Verona, Fondazione AIDA ets officially presented the SPIRAL Project (Structure for Inclusive Arts Learning).

Artist and facilitator Eliana Crestani introduced the project, outlining its mission to develop structured and accessible curricula for inclusive arts—covering theatre, dance, music, multimedia, and literature.

The presentation highlighted how SPIRAL had promoted the creation of accessible artistic training pathways, built upon clear learning objectives and shared inclusion standards, to ensure cultural and creative participation for all.

Crestani also shared experiences and outcomes from the labs and workshops implemented in Verona, illustrating how the performing arts had fostered communication, self-expression, and emotional growth, especially among young people with social or psychological vulnerabilities.