ARS Creazione Arte e Spettacolo

Ars. Creazione e Spettacolo is a non-profit cultural association that works to promote theatre and all related art forms in order to encourage theatrical research and practice.

Founded in 2003 by Federica Restani and Raffaele Latagliata, who are still the current artistic directors, Ars was created with the aim of institutionalising the activities carried out by a group of artists from Mantua, already active as professionals in the theatre sector at a national level, and to carry out important work in the promotion and creation of culture linked to the world of theatre in Mantua and nationally.

Appointed from 2005 to 2010 as ‘contact person for the Bam Foundation's cultural theatre projects’, Ars. Creazione e Spettacolo focused, on the recommendation of the Foundation itself, on promoting the local area, producing shows linked to the cultural activities of the Foundation and other local cultural institutions. Over time, it has established close collaborative relationships not only with local public institutions such as the Municipality and Province of Mantua, but also with numerous other cultural organisations in the Mantua area, such as the “Accademia Nazionale Virgiliana”, the “U. Artioli” Foundation, Mantua European Capital of Entertainment, the International Centre for Art and Culture at Palazzo Te, and the most important festivals and cultural events in the area, such as Festivaletteratura, Festival Segni d'Infanzia, and Festival Teatro Arlecchino d'oro.

Attiva nello Spazio Studio Sant’Orsola, teatro e sala polivalente, oltre alla produzione di spettacoli teatrali e alla realizzazione di grandi eventi in occasioni di particolari manifestazioni del territorio, Ars. Creazione e Spettacolo dirige dal 2005 la Scuola di Teatro di Mantova, importante realtà di formazione e didattica teatrale che conta oltre 250 allievi di tutte le età e rappresenta un significativo polo di aggregazione e scambio culturale per la città. La Scuola si struttura sulla base del modello anglosassone delle Arti performative, modello largamente diffuso in ambito internazionale che ha, nell’ultimo ventennio, influenzato fortemente i piani didattici delle maggiori scuole di recitazione e accademie teatrali italiane riconosciute, favorendo l’infiltrazione e il potenziamento di discipline prima considerate collaterali, come l’espressività corporea e il canto.

Also within the Spazio Studio Sant'Orsola, Ars has been offering the AltroTeatro contemporary drama festival since 2011: a different way of enjoying theatre in an off-site venue compared to the city's classic venues, which integrates and interacts with them. The privileged aspect that the space guarantees is that of theatre experienced up close, through contact with the artists and the content of a festival inspired by contemporary drama. Altro is the backbone of each of the editions presented: different from the traditional, different from the past, a different place of representation, a different way of being together and looking at who we are. A place and a way of creating culture together, where the artistic forces of the area, and beyond, come together and share experiences.