Ettore Alloggia: From Collector to Mecenate with Premio Claudio

Ettore Alloggia, born in Rome on July 6, 1956, runs an IT company and has been a collector since 1997, starting when he needed to furnish his new home. Introduced to art by architect friend and artist Enrico Luzzi, he fell in love with Futurism and later contemporary art. He prioritizes emotional connection over investment, focusing on young artists for over a decade, guided by gallerist Anna D'Ascanio. His collection is partly at home, partly loaned to institutions, and mostly in storage. In 2016, he launched Premio Claudio, named after his father, a municipal employee who died when Alloggia was twelve. The prize acquires artworks annually to lend to low-income young couples/families residing in Rome, aiming to share art and spark hope. The first edition acquired two works (budget exceeded €5,000) from Granpalazzo, thanks to Paola Capata, Delfo Durante, Federica Schiavo, and Ilaria Gianni. The works are still in storage pending website launch. Loans will last about two months, insured against damage or theft. Alloggia sees the prize as a reaction to Rome's civic decay and lack of political support for culture. The 2017 edition format is under development.