Italy Restores Compensation for AFAM Institution Presidents

The 2021 Italian budget law, published in the Official Gazette on December 31, 2021, reinstates compensation and indemnities for presidents of AFAM institutions (Higher Artistic, Musical, and Dance Education) starting from 2022. Article 303 amends Article 1 of Law 190 of December 23, 2014, restoring payments for presidents, directors, board members, and evaluation committees. Article 304 introduces compensation for evaluation committee members. The parliamentary acts and explanatory report highlight a previous misalignment between the denial of compensation for AFAM presidents and their legal responsibilities as institutional representatives, employers, and safety officers—especially critical during the health emergency. The legislature recognized that unpaid roles risked deterring qualified candidates and compromising duties, aligning with constitutional principles. This reform is seen as a significant acknowledgment of the presidents' role, beyond mere indemnity, and reflects positions already advocated by the National Conference of Presidents of Academies and the National Conference of Presidents of Conservatories.