Daniele Pittèri's Strategic Revitalization of Santa Maria della Scala in Siena
Since February 2016, Daniele Pittèri has been at the helm of transforming Siena's Santa Maria della Scala into a vibrant cultural center. The site, covering 40,000 square meters, has undergone partial restoration, although half remains in disrepair. Prioritizing safety, Pittèri ensured it became the first historical site in Italy to fully adhere to fire safety regulations. This initiative led to the reopening of Palazzo Squarcialupi and boosted visitor capacity from 180 to 1,000, with a target of reaching 1,800 by summer 2018. Visitor attendance surged from 69,000 in 2015 to 132,000 in 2017. A semi-concession tender was introduced for service management. The strategic plan for 2018-2021 includes six objectives, such as improving collections and achieving financial independence, with upcoming exhibitions featuring artists like Josef and Anni Albers and Pipilotti Rist.
Key facts
- Daniele Pittèri became director of Santa Maria della Scala in February 2016.
- The complex is 40,000 square meters; half is still unrestored.
- Safety upgrades made it the first Italian historical museum fully fire-compliant.
- Palazzo Squarcialupi (2,000 sqm) reopened after five years of closure.
- Visitor capacity increased from 180 to 1,000; target 1,800 by summer 2018.
- Visitors rose from 69,000 (2015) to 132,000 (2017), plus 30,000 for Lorenzetti show.
- A semi-concession tender gives the museum an 18% royalty on revenues.
- Ticketing centralized with Duomo; combined ticket created.
- 2018-2021 plan includes reuniting Spannocchi-Piccolomini collection (170 works).
- Goal of full financial autonomy by 2021.
- Upcoming exhibitions: Josef and Anni Albers, Linda Burkhardt, Franco Biagioni, Li Chevalier, 'Musica per gli occhi'.
- 'Musica per gli occhi' features Pipilotti Rist, ConiglioViola, Basquiat, Warhol, Antonioni, Wenders, Jarman.
Entities
Artists
- Daniele Pittèri
- Ambrogio Lorenzetti
- Josef Albers
- Anni Albers
- Linda Burkhardt
- Franco Biagioni
- Li Chevalier
- Pipilotti Rist
- ConiglioViola
- Jean-Michel Basquiat
- Andy Warhol
- Michelangelo Antonioni
- Wim Wenders
- Derek Jarman
- Bruno Valentini
Institutions
- Santa Maria della Scala
- Artribune
- Comune di Siena
- Regione Toscana
- MiBACT
- Duomo di Siena
- Museo di Cork
- Museo di Zagabria
- MACRO
- Biennale di Venezia
- Uffizi
- Archivio di Stato di Siena
Locations
- Siena
- Italy
- Firenze
- Cork
- Ireland
- Zagabria
- Croatia
- Napoli
- Piazza Duomo
- Palazzo Squarcialupi