Filippo Demma on Museums as Community Hubs: The Calabria Case

In an interview with Artribune, Filippo Demma, director of the Parco Archeologico di Sibari and interim head of the Direzione Regionale Musei Calabria, discusses the evolving role of museums. He emphasizes that museums are no longer mere containers of the past but 'utensils for making culture,' serving as aggregators for educational communities. Demma highlights a project at Sibari called 'Copycat: speranze replicabili,' involving students from Istituto Professionale Erodoto di Cassano allo Jonio and inmates from Castrovillari prison, who scan and 3D-print artifacts for visually impaired visitors. The museum also focuses on legality through security upgrades funded by PON Legalità and educational workshops. Demma notes that digital engagement is essential, with 49% of first contacts occurring online, but laments chronic staff shortages. Under his leadership, the Museo Archeologico di Crotone reopened after 16 years, and a new exhibition was inaugurated at Locri. The DRM Calabria is experimenting with public-private partnerships, such as a special partnership with third-sector entities for the Museo e Parco archeologico Nazionale di Capocolonna. Demma states that the future of museums depends on the next government's cultural policy.