M5S proposes street artists as new Van Goghs in Rome

During a Rome city council session, M5S councilor Andrea Coia proposed a new regulation to increase the number of street artists in Rome's squares, particularly Piazza Navona. The plan aims to distinguish 'true artists' from vendors of low-quality prints by subjecting candidates to a practical test overseen by the Department of Cultural Activities, with minimal weight given to CVs or formal training. Coia invoked Van Gogh as a model, arguing that talent is best discovered on the streets rather than in academies. The proposal also introduces sculptors as a new category, raising concerns about debris and noise. Critics question the competence of the selection committee and the prioritization of this issue over more urgent cultural matters.