Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa saved but with major governance changes

On July 29, the Venice City Council approved a resolution to maintain the institutional role of the Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa, but with significant regulatory changes. The board of directors will be reduced from seven to three members, all appointed exclusively by the mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, from individuals with proven expertise in art and culture. This marks a reversal from the previous system where board members were proposed by three local universities (IUAV, Ca' Foscari, and Accademia di Belle Arti) and three major trade unions (CGIL, CISL, UIL), with the mayor then appointing the president and councilors. The change was advocated by budget councilor Michele Zuin, who called the old system a "twenty-year-old system that no longer has a reason to exist." The decision came after a tense council discussion, without the mayor present. A petition launched on change.org on July 25 by "Venezia c'è" had gathered 2,100 signatures, reflecting public concern. The foundation's future remains uncertain as specific appointments by Brugnaro are pending.