Italy's Ministry of Culture Proposes Polytechnic of the Arts in Milan

Key facts

• Dario Franceschini proposed transforming Fondazione Scuole Civiche di Milano into a Politecnico delle Arti.
• The foundation includes four schools: Civica Scuola di Cinema Luchino Visconti, Civica Scuola Interpreti e Traduttori Altiero Spinelli, Civica Scuola di Musica Claudio Abbado, and Civica Scuola di Teatro Paolo Grassi.
• Franceschini spoke at the inauguration of the academic year for the foundation and its schools.
• The minister committed to securing permanent state support within the remaining year of the legislature.
• The foundation is supported by the Municipality of Milan.
• Franceschini cited increased book sales and cinema production as signs of growing cultural demand post-pandemic.
• Stefano Mirti, foundation president, said discussions began a year ago and aim for visible projects within a year.
• The Politecnico delle Arti would be a novel institution, as Italian polytechnics are typically scientific or technical.