The final event of SmART – Using Art To Do My Part, co-funded by the European Union, wrapped up in February with great energy and a fantastic turnout, turning Foligno into a lively international hub for art and active citizenship.
Students from Greece and Portugal were warmly welcomed by their peers from the Liceo Scientifico and Liceo Artistico “G. Marconi” in Foligno. Together, they’ve shared a journey that brilliantly combined civic education with creative expression.
The final exhibition, hosted at the Biblioteca dei Ragazzi in Palazzo Deli, marked the highlight of an intense and inspiring learning experience. The works on display – from installations to visual pieces and performances – showcased not only the final artistic outcomes, but also the reflection, discussion and growing awareness behind them.
SmART was created to help young people better understand their national Constitutions and to encourage active participation and democratic responsibility. Thanks to the innovative methodology developed by partners SiripArte, Escola de Segunda Oportunidade Matosinhos and Artit, students explored constitutional principles through art, transforming key articles on equality, freedom, education, work, peace and environmental protection into powerful works that speak to everyone.
A mention goes to CRHACK LAB FOLIGNO 4D, whose contribution was key in documenting the italian students’ journey throughout the artistic workshops and supporting a collaborative creative process built on dialogue, teamwork and critical thinking.
Throughout the project, the Constitution was rediscovered as something living, relevant and close to young people – not a distant legal document, but a practical tool to understand today’s challenges. Art proved to be more than just a means of expression: it became a space for discussion, awareness and civic responsibility.
The final event in Foligno was far more than a project closing. It was clear proof that creativity can strengthen intercultural dialogue and inspire young people to play an active role in defending fundamental rights and democratic values.
SmART may have officially come to an end, but the journey towards active citizenship continues – in schools, in local communities and in the territories that made it all possible.
