Italy's Budget Cuts MAXXI Funding by 75%, Redirects to Promote Art Abroad

Italy's 2019 budget law, approved by the Senate with 167 votes in favor, 78 against, and 3 abstentions, includes controversial measures for culture. The law redirects €3 million annually from the Piano per l'arte contemporanea (PAC) to promote Italian contemporary art abroad, slashing the MAXXI museum's share from €2 million to €500,000. The PAC, established in 2001, had its funding doubled to €4 million in the previous budget, with half going to MAXXI. The amendment, proposed by the Five Star Movement (M5S), allocates €3 million for 2019 and 2020, and €1 million from 2021 onward for international promotion, leaving only €1 million for domestic acquisitions and MAXXI. PD deputies Michele Anzaldi and Anna Ascani criticized the move, warning it threatens MAXXI and the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna. A PD amendment seeks to cancel the clause. The budget also delays 500 new hires at Mibac until November 2019 and another 500 until 2021, while extending fixed-term contracts at cultural institutions until December 31, 2019. Additionally, the law doubles the IRES corporate tax rate to 24% for non-profit entities, including educational and cultural foundations, by repealing a reduced-rate provision from 1973.