Italy - Profile Updates
3.4 International cultural co-operation
3.4.5 Cross-border intercultural dialogue and co-operation
Continuing Italian engagement in heritage cooperation and rescue programmes in the Middle East, and in particular in post-war Iraq, where support was secured for the restoration and reopening of the National Library and Museum in Bagdad.
3.4 International cultural co-operation
3.4.6 Other relevant issues
Chile will be the first south American country chosen as the focus for the special yearly mutual exchanges of relevant cultural events throughout 2013.
4. Current issues in cultural policy development and debate
4.2.1 Conceptual issues of policies for the arts
Budgetary cuts and growing financial constraints on the public purse are threatening the country’s cultural life and institutions. The safeguard of several monuments and sites is in danger, whereas opera theatres and several museums, along with some independent newspapers, are struggling for survival.
4. Current issues in cultural policy development and debate
4.2.1 Conceptual issues of policies for the arts
The Confederation of Italian Industry has undertaken, through its newspaper Il Sole 24ore, an important campaign in support of cultural development as an asset for socio economic development and for an enhanced role for culture in the government’s agenda.
4.2 Specific policy issues and recent debates
4.2.2 Heritage issues and policies
‘Great Plan for Pompei’ enacted in 2011 with support from ERDF following collapses.
4.2 Specific policy issues and recent debates
4.2.2 Heritage issues and policies
New set of strategies and guidelines by the Min of Culture to address key weaknesses in the enhancement of Italian heritage and promote greater accessibility of national heritage institutions.
4.2 Specific policy issues and recent debates
4.2.3 Cultural/creative industries: policies and programmes
Several newspapers and periodicals may not be able to survive due to the significant decline in subsidies.
4. Current issues in cultural policy development and debate
4.2.4 Cultural diversity and inclusion policies
A new Ministry for International Cooperation and Integration has been created by Mario Monti’s government.
4.2 Specific policy issues and recent debates
4.2.9 Employment policies for the cultural sector
A recent study shows that overall cultural employment in Italy amounts to 2.5% of the total active employed population in 2010, along with an 8% decrease in working units since 2008.
4. Current issues in cultural policy development and debate
4.3 Other relevant issues and debates
Teatro Valle, once owned by the national theatre agency (ETI, abolished in 2010), has been actively occupied by actors, directors and musicians staging free events for over a year to prevent it from privatisation.
5.1 General legislation
5.1.3 Allocation of public funds
The yearly allocation of lottery funding to culture has been reduced by 2/3 since 2007.
5.1 General legislation
5.1.4 Social security frameworks
Social security rights enjoyed by those working in the performing arts and film industry are under threat, their special social security agency (ENPALS) having been incorporated in the overall national social security agency.
5.3 Sector specific legislation
5.3.4 Literature and libraries
In July 2011 Italy finally adopted a Law on Fixed Book Pricing, establishing a maximum 15% discount rate.
5.3 Sector specific legislation
5.3.7 Mass media
A reform of the system of subsidies to the press is planned for the end of 2013.
5.3 Sector specific legislation
5.3.7 Mass media
Reform of the television system has been set as an utmost priority by the new Monti government, but so far has been limited to the appointment of a new president and board (June 2012).
6.2 Public cultural expenditure
6.2.2 Public cultural expenditure broken down by level of government
An increase in local and regional cultural expenditure made up for the decrease in state expenditure in the early 2000s; but even such expenditure is currently slowing down.
6.2 Public cultural expenditure
6.2.3 Sector breakdown
Between 2000 and 2011 final expenditure by the Ministry of Culture underwent a decrease of 18% (inflation not taken into account): from 2490 to 2046 million EUR.
6. Financing of culture
6.3. Trends and indicators for private cultural financing
A private donor has undertaken to provide the full cost of 25 million Euro to restore the Coliseum.
7. Public institutions in cultural infrastructure
7.3 Status and partnerships of public cultural institutions
A special autonomous status –granted by law to lyric foundations that can meet stringent artistic and financial standards – could be reached, so far, only by La Scala (Milan) and Santa Cecilia Academy (Rome).
8.2 Cultural consumption and participation
8.2.2 Policies and programmes
New programme launched by the Min of Culture for national museums and historical sites to promote cultural access and inclusion through innovative forms of participation.
8.2 Cultural consumption and participation
8.2.2 Policies and programmes
The Min of Culture is planning an Observatory of heritage institutions audiences.
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Council of Europe/ERICarts, "Compendium of Cultural Policies and Trends in Europe, 14th edition", 2013 | ISSN 2222-7334