From the past to the future (by the present): the role of curatorial leadership in enhancing local manufacturing

This contribution examines the role of the designer in relation to traditional applied arts and the local culture within the contemporary Italian context, intertwining theory, and practice. In recent years, the association between the advancement of design disciplines and highly specialized figures has shown signs of change, highlighting new boundaries as potential nodes of innovation (Da Empoli, 2013). There is indeed an increasing crossover between design and other disciplines, sciences, and techniques, based on the centrality of the product in its multiple expressions. The focus of this work is on the analysis of strategic and project outputs developed within the Art Lab partnership (Art Lab Net, Art Lab Experiences, Art Lab Services), supported by the Interreg Maritime Italy France programme, from 2017 to the present. These initiatives have aimed to support businesses in the manufacturing sector, addressing the challenges of global competitiveness and proposing new opportunities for growth and innovation. By recognizing the value of the technical skills within workshops and enhancing the competitiveness of national production, it is possible to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 - Gender Equality and SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth. In recent years, the field of applied arts and local culture has experienced a significant rediscovery, fueled by a growing ethical and aesthetic awareness. This has prompted new generations of designers to reconsider their role in response to the changing market conditions (Antonelli, 2012). The contribution analyses the importance of the manufacturing sector in the realm of Made in Italy furniture and accessories, characterized by a high number of companies that occupy the space between industrial and artisanal models (Vercelloni, 2008). However, this situation has contributed to marginalizing small artisans in the arts sector, who struggle to maintain competitiveness due to their size and marketing capabilities. In this context, the paper explores collaborative practices and experiences among universities, businesses, and local organizations, through which young designers have proposed innovative interpretations of the design system. This approach has highlighted hybrid aspects of the discipline, sensitive to territorial peculiarities and not relocatable characteristics (Gambardella, 2020), while simultaneously fostering processes of curation and leadership within a conscious and dynamic interdisciplinary framework.