What was once a place inaccessible to the public is now home to the Venetians. Right in the heart of Venice, in the Procuratie Vecchie on St. Mark’s Square, the Home of The Human Safety Net, founded to expand the mission of the Generali Foundation, which operates in 25 countries around the world with programs for families and refugees, five years after opening to the public, is finally a gathering place for the community, becoming what the American sociologist Ray Oldenburg defines as “third place””. In fact, more and more Venetians are visiting the Procuratie, along with visitors from across Italy.
«“It took some time to build a community around the Procuratie and earn people’s trust. Now we aim to further strengthen this bond and raise our profile internationally,” he said Alexia Boro, Director of The Human Safety Net House, explaining that The space is always freely accessible, except on Tuesdays, when it is closed. Having long served as the headquarters of Assicurazioni Generali, the spaces of the Procuratie Vecchie have remained a mystery: “Now, open to the public following the restoration of David Chipperfield, We are increasingly trying to make it clear that The Procuratie are not an exclusive place, but an inclusive one. – “And,” Boro continues, “La Casa, in fact, increasingly aspires to be a place where people of different ages, backgrounds, and experiences can meet—even if just for a cup of coffee or to work together.”
The venue offers an extensive public program that, starting in October, features free events (by reservation) dedicated to film, readings, music, and workshopsi. “La Casa promotes culture, social innovation, and inclusion through experiences that help people discover, develop, and put their potential into practice,” continues Alexia Boro, noting that all the initiatives are designed to enhance the interactive permanent exhibition “ "A World of Potential" which, through 16 installations, encourages people to recognize and develop their strengths, just as they would “muscles.” TrSee you at the next meetings today, Friday, the 23rd, at 4 p.m., the fashion designer Antonio Marras meet Angela Vettese and Sara Sozzani Maino for a discussion on “Culture, Creativity, and Regions: Building Ecosystems for the Future.”
On On Halloween on Saturday, the 31st, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., there will be in collaboration with Baba Yaga and Kid Pass, creative workshops, activities t, music, read-alouds, cooperative games, and role-playing games for all ages.
On November 14 and 15, it will be time for the festival dedicated to participatory art featuring the artist Marinella Senatore, where the temporary exhibition “We Rise by Lifting Others” is now open to the public; it explores the themes of participation, collaboration, and shared growth. Saturday, the 14th, at 10:30 a.m., There will be a Talk: “Participatory Art and Social Impact” where the artist will engage in a dialogue with the expert in the economics of culture Pier Luigi Sacco on how art can have a positive effect on people. Saturday afternoon (4:00–6:00 p.m.) and Sunday morning (11 a.m.–1 p.m.) The auditorium will instead become a performance space for two workshop sessions on Somatic Movement and Body Percussion led by the artist: «An artistic experience that helps people overcome trauma "and that the artist has experienced firsthand," explains Boro.
There are also several workshops and events for families in collaboration with the Barchetta Blu Research Center, Kid Pass, and Baba Jaga. Every first On the first Sunday of the month, “"Collective Stories", collage workshops with the Chilean artist Gabriela Bacigalupo, replaced in the spring by music and movement workshops for parents and children ages 0 to 1, organized by Baba Jaga. New this year, on the other hand, The meeting is held every second Sunday “"Born for Music," that promotes musical experiences from early childhood as a tool for cognitive development. On the third Sunday, “ "Born to Read", featuring read-aloud sessions for children ages 0 to 6, while on the fourth Sunday features “QUELLILÀ—Readings in Various Languages of the World” Volunteers from various countries read picture books to children ages 4 to 11 in their native languages. “Reading not only aids cognitive development but is essential for children’s psychological and emotional development who need to learn to recognize emotions,” Boro emphasizes.
Among the programs consisting of multiple sessions are the “Perseverance Program”, organized by Baba Jaga with the participation of various psychologists and educators: “This offers parents and educators a space for listening and discussion "to reflect on our relationships with children, discover new educational tools, and tackle everyday challenges," explains Boro. Also highly appreciated is “ "Take your time" which, while the children play in the next room, offers parents yoga sessions with Julia Curtis, mindfulness with Lucia Babina, mindful movement with Paolo Scarpa, and art therapy with Elisa Brumat.
The studio’s lineup will also include the third season of “MovieLab”, the film festival curated by sociologist and Ca’ Foscari University professor Francesco Della Puppa . Focusing on stories of marginalization, the festival will feature meetings with directors, writers, and scholars following each screening.
“Values in Music” has been confirmed once again; it will feature performances one Sunday morning a month the young musicians of the Benedetto Marcello Conservatory. Among the various initiatives, “"Venetians by Choice", a series of talks with people who have chosen to live and work in the city.
As for reading, there will be book presentations in the auditorium and intimate meet-and-greets with authors, while on the social innovation front, the “Innovation Labs” will offer participatory citizenship workshops led by experts from various disciplines. In addition to all this, there are also various workshops for schools.
“Through these initiatives, we are fulfilling our mission to amplify the work of the Generali Foundation around the world,” concludes Boro. “For beauty to create opportunities, it must be accessible and shared; that is why We do not charge an admission fee, and all of our events are free with advance registration". See the complete schedule at: https://www.thehumansafetynet.org/it/the-venice-home/whats-on/2026.
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