1 – What does your company do?

Sala 1 is Italy’s oldest independent non profit for contemporary art and culture, founded in 1970. We organize and produce cultural projects, exhibitions, publications, and conferences as well as hosting artists and critics.

2 – Why did you decide to join the EU4EU programme?

Sala 1 has continuing trainee programs with various international universities as well as those in Rome: Roma3, Roma2 Tor Vergata and Sapienza. The EU4EU was important to use because of the European aspects of student participation.

3 – Was it easy to join the programme?

It was not difficult and we do appreciate the help of your coordinator who answered our questions in a timely manner.

4 – How important do you think it is for a company to work internationally?

Sala 1’s work is based on international outreach and participation. It is our core. We believe that this is essential to our cultural practice. We have achieved our goals through working relationships with a wide range of international entities, including embassies, universities, foundations, and government agencies worldwide. Global-Local.

5 – What are the advantages of working with a foreign student in your team?

Let’s remember that these young people are foreign students and thus have little experience in the field. Often this is their first real professional endeavor. However, the trainees have enormous potential if they are interested in the job; Sala 1, part of the cultural scene in Rome Italy, is stimulating for them. Often they are good at translations and archiving; language aspects are not a problem, they are flexible. So it is a win-win situation for both sides. We invest in the students and they, in turn, do the various tasks assigned. Our experience has always been positive.

6 – Based on your experience, how fast the students learn what they have to do?

The students learn very quickly, especially in a digital culture. The Sala 1 is fairly complex and based on contemporary art and culture: often students are not knowledgeable about the field but they quickly adapt.

7 – How well trainees manage to adapt to the working environment?

Sala 1 is part of an historic complex in the center of Rome and thus is both a beautiful place to work (an art gallery in an abandoned church building) and an interesting one. These students adapt quickly and it is rare that we have anyone who stays behind. We believe that the stimulation of their environment and work makes this possible. Rome is not always an easy city but it is a unique experience for the trainees.

8 – Will you participate in the EU4EU programme in the future?

We note with interest the various calls and communications for EU4EU and will definitely participate in the future.

9 – Would you suggest another company to join the EU4EU programme? Why?

We would surely recommend any company or entity to participate. As stated above, this is a good way for companies to have interns for certain tasks but also a chance to invest in these young people. Often, the same students can find a job at the company itself or learn how to enter the job market in general. This is the importance of the EU4EU.

Mary Angela Schroth, director