Italian State Museums See Record Visitors and Revenue Under Franceschini Reform
Italian state museums have experienced a dramatic surge in visitors and revenue following the 2014 reform spearheaded by former Minister of Culture Dario Franceschini. Between 2013 and 2016, visitor numbers rose 18.5% to a record 45.5 million, with revenue reaching €175 million. In the first nine months of 2017, visitors grew 9.4% and income 13.5%. The reform granted 20 top museums autonomous status with 'super-directors', leading to significant turnarounds. Notable performers include the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Rome (+84% visitors, +182% revenue), Gallerie dell'Accademia di Venezia (+83.2% visitors, +205.8% revenue), and Museo di Capodimonte (+55% visitors, +29.8% revenue). The Museo Nazionale di Reggio Calabria saw a staggering 1,728% increase from 11,522 to 210,598 visitors after reopening with the Bronzi di Riace. Regional growth was led by Liguria (+22.7% visitors), Veneto (+20%), and Puglia (+18.3%). The free Sunday initiative attracted over 11 million visits since 2014, with paid admissions also rising 7.4%. Art bonus tax incentives generated €19 million for museum restorations from 6,280 patrons. Digital engagement expanded via social media campaigns like 'L'arte ti somiglia', which won the Areté 2017 award for public communication.
Key facts
- Visitor numbers rose 18.5% from 2013 to 2016, reaching 45.5 million.
- Revenue hit €175 million in 2016.
- First nine months of 2017 saw 9.4% visitor growth and 13.5% income growth.
- Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Rome had +84% visitors and +182% revenue.
- Gallerie dell'Accademia di Venezia had +83.2% visitors and +205.8% revenue.
- Museo Nazionale di Reggio Calabria increased from 11,522 to 210,598 visitors (+1,728%).
- Free Sundays attracted over 11 million visits since 2014.
- Art bonus generated €19 million for restorations from 6,280 patrons.
Entities
Artists
- Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio
Institutions
- ICOM
- Ministero della Cultura
- Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea
- Gallerie dell'Accademia di Venezia
- Museo di Capodimonte
- Reggia di Caserta
- Musei Reali di Torino
- Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli
- Colosseo
- Gallerie degli Uffizi
- Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze
- Pinacoteca di Brera
- Museo Nazionale di Reggio Calabria
- Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Taranto
- Parco Archeologico di Paestum
- Parco Archeologico di Pompei
- Palazzo Reale di Genova
- Artribune
- Ministero dei Beni e delle Attività Culturali e del Turismo (MIBACT)
- Pompei
- Uffizi
- Castel Sant'Angelo
- Palazzo Pitti
- Ercolano
- Paestum
- Castello di Miramare
- Villa Adriana
- Pantheon
- Parco di Capodimonte
- Parco del Castello di Miramare
- Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage
- Colosseum
- Roman Forum
- Palatine Hill
- National Archaeological Museum of Naples
- Paestum Archaeological Park
- Pompeii
- La Venaria Reale
- Palazzo Ducale (Mantua)
- Royal Palace of Caserta
- Castel Sant'Elmo
- Racconigi Castle
- National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria
- Egyptian Museum of Turin
Locations
- Roma
- Italia
- Liguria
- Puglia
- Veneto
- Friuli Venezia Giulia
- Toscana
- Campania
- Firenze
- Venezia
- Napoli
- Caserta
- Torino
- Reggio Calabria
- Taranto
- Paestum
- Pompei
- Genova
- Italy
- Lazio
- Tuscany
- Abruzzo
- Molise
- Piemonte
- Lombardy
- Marche
- Rome
- Florence
- Naples
- Ercolano
- Turin
- Trieste
- Milan
- Tivoli
- Mantua
- Racconigi