Winter School 2026, the new Gaming and Cultural Heritage laboratory

The National School of Cultural Heritage and Activities has launched the call for applications for the Winter School 2026 project, organized in collaboration with IIDEA – Italian Interactive Digital Entertainment Association.

It consists of "three days of in-person activities dedicated to the design of playful-interactive experiences as tools capable of generating new forms of access, participation, and interpretation of cultural heritage." The 2026 edition of the project includes two different laboratories, one to be held in Reggio Calabria from February 19 to 21, 2026 (South Edition) and one in Bologna from March 2 to 4 (North Edition).

Participation in the laboratory requires preparatory participation in an online training course, followed by 3 days of in-person lessons, keynote speeches, case studies, and guided practical activities. "By connecting cultural heritage professionals and scholars with developers and designers, the program promotes an interdisciplinary approach oriented towards experimentation and the production of innovative solutions. The Winter School 2026 also fosters the creation of collaborative networks among cultural institutions, public bodies, universities, creative enterprises, and third-sector organizations, contributing to the construction of a cultural ecosystem capable of integrating new languages and digital tools in the valorization of cultural heritage."

Video Games as a Cultural Tool

"In recent years, video games have transcended the boundaries of entertainment, establishing themselves as a true cultural language - we read in the press release - Capable of telling stories, exploring complex themes, and creating immersive experiences, they are now recognized as an expressive tool by the world of culture as well."

Examples of this extension of the medium into the cultural sphere include the Assassin’s Creed Discovery Tour series, the Mobile App No Signal – Marconi the game created by Incredibol and Bologna Game Farm, as well as Friuli Venezia Giulia Reload, which we discussed HERE.

The “Gaming and Cultural Heritage” pathway is part of Dicolab. Cultura al digitale, the system promoted by the Ministry of Culture - Digital Library, realized by the National School of Cultural Heritage and Activities and funded by the European Union - Next GenerationEU.

For each of the two laboratories - South Edition and North Edition - 20 places are available. Interested parties can download the Call for Applications. Registrations close on January 12, 2026.
For further information https://www.fondazionescuolapatrimonio.it/gaming-e-beni-culturali/