AWI Research Reveals Precarious Labor Conditions in Italian Contemporary Art Market

Research by Art Workers Italia (AWI) on the Italian contemporary art market reveals severe structural weaknesses. 80% of workers hold a second job, and nearly half earn less than €10,000 annually. Stable employment is rare: only 23% have dependent employment contracts, while 36.2% work as freelancers (Partita IVA), 19.7% on occasional contracts, 6% undeclared, 4.4% coordinated collaborations (Co.co.co.), 2.6% as volunteers, and 1% as interns. The market is characterized by an oversupply of labor relative to demand, allowing gallerists to impose unfavorable terms. The sector also suffers from low revenues, high uncertainty, and a tax system that underestimates its cultural contribution. The market remains niche, focused on collectors rather than a broad audience, despite falling prices for contemporary works. Stefano Monti of Monti&Taft argues that before improving worker protections, the market itself must be expanded; otherwise, stronger protections could backfire, encouraging irregular contracts.