Giovanna Cassese: AFAM reform needed for Italy's art education system
In an interview with Artribune, Giovanna Cassese, the President of ISIA Faenza, advocates for comprehensive reform of Italy's Alta Formazione Artistica e Musicale (AFAM) system. She emphasizes the need for transparent faculty hiring processes and the removal of restrictions on advertising. Established in Monza in 1922 and revitalized in the 1970s by Giulio Carlo Argan and Bruno Munari, ISIA institutions provide distinctive public design degrees in cities such as Rome, Urbino, Florence, Faenza, and Pescara. Cassese points out the shortcomings of the 1999 reform (law 508/99) and commends Maria Concetta Cossa's leadership as ISIA Faenza director from 2020 to 2023. She also underscores the significance of research doctorates and cooperation with ministries, while acknowledging the difficulties posed by distance learning during the pandemic.
Key facts
- Giovanna Cassese is President of ISIA Faenza and President of the Conference of Directors and Presidents of ISIA.
- Maria Concetta Cossa was appointed new director of ISIA Faenza for the 2020-2023 term.
- ISIA institutions were founded in Monza in 1922 and revived in the early 1970s by Giulio Carlo Argan and Bruno Munari.
- ISIA operates in five cities: Rome, Urbino, Florence, Faenza, and Pescara.
- The AFAM reform law 508/99 remains incomplete, leaving institutions in regulatory uncertainty.
- A permanent table on AFAM is coordinated by MUR Secretary General Maria Letizia Melina, involving Antonio Bisaccia, Antonio Ligios, Giuseppe Soriero, Raffaello Vignali, and Giovanna Cassese.
- MUR has allowed AFAM institutions to participate in PRIN (Progetti di Ricerca di Interesse Nazionale) projects.
- ISIA Faenza is the only institution offering a diploma in ceramic design at levels I and II.
Entities
Artists
- Giovanna Cassese
- Maria Concetta Cossa
- Giulio Carlo Argan
- Bruno Munari
- Marco Scotini
- Pietro Di Terlizzi
- Alessandra Pioselli
- Antonello Tolve
- Angela Vettese
- Gaetano Manfredi
- Maria Letizia Melina
- Antonio Bisaccia
- Antonio Ligios
- Giuseppe Soriero
- Raffaello Vignali
- Edgar Morin
- Ursula von der Leyen
- Santa Nastro
- Marco Enrico Giacomelli
Institutions
- ISIA Faenza
- Artribune
- MUR (Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca)
- MIBACT (Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali e per il Turismo)
- MAECI (Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale)
- MISE (Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico)
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Bologna
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Napoli
- Accademia dell'Aquila
- Accademia Nazionale di Danza
- Conferenza dei Direttori e dei Presidenti ISIA
- Parlamento Europeo
- Domus (rivista)
- Gangemi Editore
Locations
- Faenza
- Italy
- Monza
- Rome
- Urbino
- Florence
- Pescara
- Venezia
- Bologna
- Napoli
- L'Aquila
- Palazzo Mazzolani