Fondazione Santagata, commissioned by Fondazione CROSS ETS and within the framework of the Next Generation You programme – Guidelines for the organisational development of the third sector promoted by Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, accompanied the organisation through an organisational strengthening pathway aimed at consolidating its autonomy, sustainability and capacity to generate territorial impact. The work included an integrated analysis of the organisation, processes, relationships, communication, economic dimension and digital maturity; the definition of a multi-year strategic plan; and the development of an operational proposal to translate the strategy into concrete actions. The pathway supported CROSS during a significant transformation phase linked to organisational restructuring, the activation of the new venue at Palazzo Pretorio, the development of the Dance Production Centre, and the enhancement of digital innovation through the editorial project AURA.

CONTEXT

Fondazione CROSS ETS promotes contemporary culture through dance, performing arts and participatory practices. It operates mainly in Verbania and the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola (VCO) area, where it has introduced and consolidated practices related to contemporary dance, artistic research, production, education and engagement with local communities and institutions. The CROSS project is mainly articulated through CROSS Festival, CROSS Residence and AURA, a cultural magazine dedicated to art, body, spirituality, performing arts and the valorisation of the territory.

In recent years, the organisation has undergone a phase of growth and transformation: the establishment of Fondazione CROSS ETS in 2023, the strengthening of its staff, the consolidation of its presence in Verbania, the opening of the new venue at Palazzo Pretorio, the development of the Dance Production Centre in collaboration with EgriBiancoDanzaand Teatro Il Maggiore, and the growth of digital and cultural projects connected to AURA. This development made it necessary to undertake a process of organisational restructuring, clarification of roles, management strengthening and the definition of new sustainability models.

OBJECTIVES

The project aims to strengthen Fondazione CROSS ETS as a stable, recognisable and sustainable cultural organisation, capable of generating artistic, social and territorial value. The main objectives are:

  • to redefine governance, roles, responsibilities, operational delegations and workflows;
  • to consolidate the new Palazzo Pretorio venue as an operational, cultural and community hub;
  • to strengthen the organisation’s territorial presence in the VCO area through listening tools, participatory monitoring and community engagement activities;
  • to further develop artistic production and the Dance Production Centre in collaboration with EgriBiancoDanzaand Teatro Il Maggiore;
  • to expand audiences, educational activities, workshops, training opportunities and pathways for young artists and professionals;
  • to enhance the national and international know-how developed by the organisation;
  • to integrate digital production with artistic programmes, strengthening AURA as a cultural laboratory and a tool for access and connection with the territory;
  • to diversify revenue streams through sponsorships, services, courses, workshops and educational activities

 

EXPECTED RESULTS / IMPACT

The pathway resulted in a strategic and operational roadmap designed to support CROSS in developing a more structured, stable and sustainable organisational model. The operational project is articulated through Work Packages dedicated to coordination and project management, organisational restructuring and the new venue, artistic production, networking and economic sustainability.

The main expected results include:

  • greater organisational clarity through the formalisation of processes, responsibilities and reporting lines;
  • the recruitment or strengthening of key roles, including project management, organisation/coordination and fundraising functions;
  • the activation of Palazzo Pretorio as a stable, functional and recognisable venue;
  • reduction of logistical fragmentation and strengthening of a permanent territorial presence;
  • consolidation of the Dance Production Centre as a centre of excellence;
  • increased circulation of artistic productions and greater national and international visibility;
  • strengthened relationships with schools, universities, academies, and young professionals;
  • development of participatory tools to monitor needs, audiences and territorial impacts;
  • greater diversification of revenue sources through sponsorships and cultural services;
  • enhancement of AURA as a digital, editorial and cultural platform connected to artistic production and the territory.

 

PARTNERS

  • Fondazione CROSS ETS – beneficiary organisation
  • Fondazione Santagata per l’Economia della Cultura – strategic advisor / methodological support
  • Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo – promoter of the Guidelines / Next Generation You programme