Arci survey reveals 417 cultural spaces in Italy, but policy support lags

The self-exploration project 'Essere Moltitudine', initiated by Arci nazionale and cheFare, identifies 417 cultural venues across Italy, equivalent to 88 football fields. In 2023, these locations drew an audience comparable to the population of Genoa, with nearly 200,000 attendees, 937 paid staff, over 5,000 volunteers, and more than one million participants overall. This accounts for 10% of Arci's extensive network of over 4,000 associations. In 2022, Siae documented more than 23,000 events held in these venues. Notably, only 18% of these spaces are situated in southern Italy, with a mere 3% located in rural areas. The study reveals cultural trends influenced by shifting residency patterns, emphasizing antifascism, anti-sexism, and solidarity. Concerns have been raised regarding insufficient public policies and the impending VAT on Third Sector goods, effective from January 1, 2025, which could jeopardize small associations.