cultural arts profile
Emanuele Lepri , the newest addition to Villa Charities ’ leadership team , has a big vision that is every bit the match for the challenging mandate set before him – to transform and elevate Villa Charities ’ cultural programming .
Appointed in late 2017 as VCI ’ s Executive Director of Cultural Programming , Emanuele is brimming with fresh ideas to celebrate Italian culture . And he wants people of every background to join the celebration .
His ideas include “ Cultural Tuesdays ” – weekly events held in the Columbus Centre ’ s Joseph D . Carrier Art Gallery . The goal is to inspire more people to explore Italian heritage , arts and culture by connecting them with organizations and destinations in the wider community . To that end , Emanuele is strengthening partnerships with organizations such as the Italian Cultural Institute , Italian Consulate and Italian Contemporary Film Festival .
There is much more . He helped stage a photographic exhibition by Italian- Canadian artist Tony Luciani chronicling his mother ’ s struggle with Alzheimer ’ s . Emanuele calls this “ a universal experience with an Italian-Canadian perspective ,” to deliver a message of hope and resilience . And , of course , there is food . His goal is to shine a light on Italian culinary traditions and make them relevant to people today . This will come to life in a celebration of traditional Easter foods during March 2018 , and possibly a community cookbook of traditional recipes brought to Canada by Italian immigrants . Many of these and other programs led by Emanuele will enhance the annual Italian Heritage Month programming .
In parallel with these innovations , Emanuele is enhancing the Columbus Centre ’ s core offerings in art , dance , music , culinary arts , culture and heritage .
“ My goal is to build compelling , engaging programming for all ages that complements Villa Charities ’ other services and activities ,” he says .
To achieve this , Emanuele knows he must respond to a major challenge : the weakening bonds of Italian-Canadians with their cultural roots with each passing generation .
“ We need to find and embrace ways to engage the audience beyond the stereotypical ideas of what constitutes Italian culture ,” he says . “ If you offer quality events that are relevant to people ’ s lives and experiences , and cultivate a passion for learning and sharing , even non-Italians will be interested . It ’ s not a function of your DNA .”
Born and educated in Florence , Italy with a PhD and MA in International Relations , Emanuele is deeply rooted in Italian culture and heritage . He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Villa Charities , with more than 30 years of excellence in the cultural and educational sectors . Previously , Emanuele was Executive Director of the Bata Shoe Museum , where he brought tremendous success and growth , and before that was the Founding Director of Museo del Tessuto , in Prato , Italy .
“ Emanuele has spent his whole career in the cultural sector and brings creative ideas and a fresh presence to the table during this exciting and transformative time for our organization ,” says Anthony DiCaita , President and CEO of Villa Charities .
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