ANGAMC President Sirio Ortolani on Italian Art Market Reforms and Competitiveness

Sirio Ortolani, President of ANGAMC (National Association of Modern and Contemporary Art Galleries) for the 2022/2026 term, outlines the association's activities and strategic goals. A key development is the Italian government's intention to implement the EU directive reducing VAT on art imports from 10% to 5.5%, announced on March 8 by Undersecretary of Culture Vittorio Sgarbi after a meeting with Minister Leo. ANGAMC successfully negotiated a 40% discount on stand costs at Arte Fiera Bologna for 2022 and a renewed discount for 2023, following issues in May 2022. A permanent dialogue table with Arte Fiera has been established to improve the fair. The association's priorities include reducing VAT on art sales (currently 22%) and imports, raising the export value threshold (currently €13,500), simplifying art movement bureaucracy, extending Art Bonus to purchases of notified works and works by young Italian artists, and revising anti-money laundering regulations. ANGAMC works with law firm ADVANT Nctm and participates in the Gruppo Apollo, a coalition of art system stakeholders. Future plans include educational sessions on anti-money laundering practices. The association aims to make Italian galleries more competitive internationally by addressing fiscal and administrative burdens.