Arte Sella director on post-pandemic future of art parks

Emanuele Montibeller, artistic director of Arte Sella, one of Italy's most renowned open-air museums, discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on art parks and the cultural sector. A Federculture analysis shows a 20-70% drop in revenue for cultural institutions, with total losses around €3 billion. An Art Workers Italia movement has emerged to demand professional recognition and labor rights. Montibeller notes that Arte Sella, founded 34 years ago, has already faced crises like the 2018 Vaia storm. He emphasizes the need to integrate art, nature, and science, and warns that the pandemic may accelerate the dematerialization of museums. He criticizes the lack of government consultation with cultural workers and calls for liquidity, tax relief, and support for small collectors and gallerists. Arte Sella plans new works by Krištof Kintera and a piece on plant migration, and continues collaborations with the Orto Botanico di Padova and the Venice Architecture Biennale.