Italy's diffuse museum model lacks governance despite rich cultural heritage

The traditional museum model is evolving globally, with institutions like the Louvre opening satellites in Lens (2012) and Abu Dhabi (2017), and the V&A planning a Dundee branch. In Italy, artist Jago inaugurated his second museum on Capri in June 2026, embedding contemporary art in a historic landscape. Rome's Fiumicino airport is hosting cultural exhibitions, and the Museo Condominiale di Tor Marancia, launched in 2015, uses apartment facades as galleries. These examples reflect a shift toward 'diffuse museums'—a concept Italy has explored since the 1990s with ecomuseums and the Museo diffuso della Resistenza in Turin. However, Italy lacks a national policy for recognition, co-financing, accessibility standards, and impact assessment. Many diffuse museums, including Tor Marancia, suffer from neglect due to absent governance and funding. While Italy has the world's most widespread cultural heritage, a tradition of territorial experimentation, and talented artists and curators, it concentrates resources on major hubs. The article argues that without political will, the diffuse museum remains a promise rather than a sustainable infrastructure.