Maxxi President Giovanna Melandri on Post-Pandemic Reopening and Youth Focus

Giovanna Melandri, president of the MAXXI museum in Rome, outlines the institution's plans for reopening on May 19, 2020, after the COVID-19 lockdown. The museum will implement safety measures including thermal scanners and sanitization protocols. A new initiative, Maxxi Teen, will provide young people with spaces to attend online classes and participate in educational workshops. The museum will reopen partially with the Gio Ponti exhibition, followed by the REAL_ITALY show on June 2 and an updated version of 'At Home' on June 18. A digital festival celebrating MAXXI's 10th anniversary, titled 'Una storia per il futuro,' is scheduled for June 18, with a physical component if conditions allow. The decade exhibition has been postponed to November. The MAXXI L'Aquila building delivery, originally set for March 31, is delayed to autumn. Melandri reports 12 million online views during quarantine and emphasizes the museum's educational role, contrasting with international museums that cut education departments. She calls on the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Cultural Heritage to support cultural education for youth. MAXXI faces a loss of over 2 million euros. Melandri also proposes using the museum's piazza for theater performances in summer, in coordination with the City of Rome.