ANGAMC President Mauro Stefanini on Post-COVID Challenges for Italian Galleries

Mauro Stefanini, President of ANGAMC (Associazione Nazionale Gallerie d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea), discusses the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Italian galleries. The lockdown forced closures for months, canceled international fairs, and accelerated the shift to digital viewing rooms. Stefanini highlights persistent issues: excessive bureaucracy and uncompetitive taxation compared to foreign countries. He argues that galleries remain essential for artists' careers, providing museum connections, prestigious collections, exhibition spaces, and financial support. While digital tools are useful, he believes art must be experienced in person. ANGAMC sent a letter to the Minister of MIBACT (Dario Franceschini) during lockdown but received no response; they plan to reopen dialogue. Key demands include Art Bonus (65% amortization on art acquisitions), reduced VAT on primary market (from 22% to 10%), lower import VAT (from 10% to 5%), and fairer application of resale rights. Regarding Miart's digital edition, Stefanini says postponement was expected due to Lombardy's health crisis and absence of major exhibitors. ANGAMC has built partnerships with Italian fair organizers and will renegotiate participation costs. The association also launched a 'Mercato' section to facilitate inter-gallery sales, avoiding auction sales that could harm market prices.