Italian Council triples funding for contemporary Italian art abroad

The Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage's DGAAP (Direzione Generale Arte e Architettura Contemporanee e Periferie Urbane) has launched the third edition of Italian Council, a grant program promoting Italian contemporary visual arts internationally. With a budget of €950,000—nearly double the previous €490,000—the initiative funds projects producing new artworks by Italian artists for public collections. Total program funding reaches approximately €2 million. Applications are open until May 7, 2018, via www.aap.beniculturali.it/italiancouncil/. Eligible applicants include museums, non-profit entities, universities, foundations, and cultural associations. Each project can receive up to €150,000 (max 80% of total budget). Priority goes to collaborations with foreign institutions, Italian Cultural Institutes abroad, and international exhibitions. Produced artworks remain state property, destined for state, regional, or civic museums. DGAAP Director Federica Galloni, also Commissioner of the Italian Pavilion at the upcoming Architecture Biennale, stated the doubling of funds signals confidence in Italian artists' potential. The program complements other DGAAP initiatives like the New York Prize, Shanghai Prize, and the Italian Pavilion.