ICOM's New Museum Definition and Italian Inclusion Initiatives
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) adopted a new museum definition during its 26th Extraordinary General Assembly in Prague, emphasizing museums as accessible, inclusive institutions serving society. The definition highlights museums' ethical role in community participation and social development. In Italy, various projects exemplify this inclusive mission: the MArRC in Reggio Calabria partners with ATAM for free bus transport to the museum for peripheral residents; Pinacoteca di Brera's 'N(u)ove strade per Brera' brings art to Milan's outskirts; Museo Novecento in Florence runs 'Outdoor', taking artworks to schools and Sollicciano prison. The GAP (Graffiti Art in Prison) project in Palermo involves artists like Matilde Cassani and Stefania Galegati in workshops at Ucciardone and Pagliarelli prisons. Marsilio Arte collaborates with Rio Terà Dei Pensieri cooperative to produce tote bags made by inmates at Santa Maria Maggiore prison. Affido Culturale pairs families experienced in cultural outings with those less familiar, using a digital voucher system across over thirty Italian institutions. Stand Up for Africa, a residency project in Pratovecchio Stia, integrates migrants through art, curated by Pietro Gaglianò. Internationally, the Inclusive Museum Research Network and the International Institute for the Inclusive Museum (iiiM) promote global dialogue on museum inclusivity, with the 16th conference set for Vancouver in September 2023.
Key facts
- ICOM adopted a new museum definition at the 26th Extraordinary General Assembly in Prague.
- MArRC and ATAM offer free bus service for peripheral residents until June 4, 2023.
- Pinacoteca di Brera's 'N(u)ove strade per Brera' connects Milan's Municipio 9 to the museum.
- Museo Novecento's 'Outdoor' project brings artworks to schools and Sollicciano prison.
- GAP project involves artists Matilde Cassani, Stefania Galegati, and Elisa Giardina Papa in Palermo prisons.
- Marsilio Arte produces tote bags with Rio Terà Dei Pensieri using recycled PVC from prison labor.
- Affido Culturale operates in over thirty Italian cultural institutions across multiple cities.
- Stand Up for Africa residency in Pratovecchio Stia integrates migrants through art since 2016.
Entities
Artists
- Matilde Cassani
- Stefania Galegati
- Elisa Giardina Papa
- David Mesguich
- Giovanni Bonechi
- Gianluca Braccini
- Gianluca Tramonti
- Apo Yaghmourian
- Zakaria Mohamed Ali
- Maurice Pefura
- Chiara Bettazzi
- Andrea Francolino
- Filippo de Pisis
- Severo Pozzati
- Renato Paresce
- Sergio Risaliti
- Paolo Fabiani
- Rossella Del Sere
- Pietro Gaglianò
- Carmelo Malacrino
- Cristina Moretti
- Alice Bocca
- Laura Barreca
- Gabriella Cianciolo
- Gemma La Sita
- Giovanna Silva
- Chiara Agnello
- Emanuela Bassetti
- Ivan Esposito
- Richard Sandell
- Kevin Coffee
Institutions
- ICOM – International Council of Museums
- MArRC – Museo Archeologico Reggio Calabria
- ATAM
- Pinacoteca di Brera
- Museo Novecento di Firenze
- Associazione MUS.E
- GAP – Graffiti Art in Prison
- Simua-Sistema Museale d’Ateneo dell’Università degli Studi di Palermo
- Kunsthistorische Institut in Florenz – Max-Planck-Institut
- Dems dell’Università degli Studi di Palermo
- Università di Saragozza
- Accademia di Arte e Design – Abadir di Catania
- Ministero della Giustizia
- DAP-Dipartimento Amministrazione Penitenziaria
- Ministero della Cultura
- Humboldt Books
- Sky Arte
- Marsilio Arte
- Rio Terà Dei Pensieri
- Palazzo Grassi
- Punta della Dogana
- Le stanze della Fotografia
- Fondazione Giorgio Cini
- Affido Culturale
- Con I Bambini
- Stand Up for Africa
- HYmmo Art Lab
- Unione dei Comuni Montani
- Ecomuseo del Casentino
- Regione Toscana
- Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi Monte Falterona e Campigna
- Comune di Pratovecchio Stia
- Rete SAI – Sistema Accoglienza Integrazione
- Inclusive Museum Research Network
- International Institute for the Inclusive Museum (iiiM)
- UNESCO
- Artribune
- Treccani
- School of Museum Studies dell’Università di Leicester
- Research Centre for Museums and Galleries
Locations
- Praga
- Reggio Calabria
- Italia
- Milano
- Firenze
- Sollicciano
- Palermo
- Ucciardone
- Pagliarelli
- Malaspina
- Venezia
- Santa Maria Maggiore
- Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore
- Napoli
- Bari
- Roma
- Modena
- Cagliari
- Andria
- Arezzo
- Teramo
- Pratovecchio Stia
- Pratovecchio
- Casentino
- Vancouver
- Canada
- Leicester
- Saragozza
- Catania