Mibact's 'Refocus' photo contest for young artists criticized for lack of funding

The Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities (Mibact), through its Directorate General for Contemporary Creativity (DGCC), launched an open call titled 'Refocus' for photographers under 40 to capture Italian urban and extra-urban landscapes during the COVID-19 lockdown. The contest aims to select 20 images that will officially represent Italy during the pandemic, with selected works published on the Ministry's social media and website, and a possible future exhibition. However, the initiative has been sharply criticized for offering no monetary prize, no production support, no fellowship, and no strong curatorial framework. A petition against the contest has gathered over a thousand signatures, demanding its suspension due to the lack of budget, artist fees, and editorial/curatorial backing. The article argues that the contest reflects the Italian state's failure to provide meaningful support to artists, who are among the most vulnerable in the art system, especially during the economic crisis. It calls for a New Deal-style investment in public art commissions, regional support networks like the French FRAC (Fonds Regionaux d'Art Contemporain), and a renewed role for artists in society as critical thinkers and generators of imagery.