French Senate proposes turning Villa Medici into a museum
A French Senate report by Senator André Gattolin questions the continued relevance of the Académie de France à Rome at Villa Medici, suggesting its transformation into a museum due to high costs and a perceived shift of Rome from the center of artistic creation. Director Muriel Mayette-Holtz defends the institution's mission, citing multidisciplinary programming, free weekly events, and the Viva Villa festival co-organized with Villa Kujoyama and Casa de Velázquez. The report includes 19 recommendations, some already adopted in the academy's strategic document. The debate highlights the tension between the historic model of supporting artists without requiring documented output and contemporary fiscal accountability.
Key facts
- Senator André Gattolin authored a French Senate report questioning the Académie de France à Rome's mission.
- The report suggests converting Villa Medici into a museum due to high costs and Rome's diminished centrality in art.
- Director Muriel Mayette-Holtz argues for the academy's continued relevance through multidisciplinary programming.
- The academy launched 'I giovedì della Villa – Questions d’art', a free weekly event with international creatives.
- In September, the first edition of the Viva Villa festival was held at Palais Royal and École du Louvre in Paris.
- The festival showcased works from residents of the Académie de France, Villa Kujoyama, and Casa de Velázquez.
- The report contains 19 recommendations; some have been incorporated into the academy's strategic document.
- Resident artists receive high salaries akin to diplomats but are not required to document their work or progress.
Entities
Artists
- Muriel Mayette-Holtz
- Eric de Chassey
- André Gattolin
- Massimo Mattioli
Institutions
- Académie de France à Rome
- Villa Medici
- French Senate
- Villa Kujoyama
- Casa de Velázquez
- Palais Royal
- École du Louvre
- Artribune
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Paris
- France
- Viale della Trinità dei Monti 1