Milan's WOW Comic Museum closure: debt, mismanagement, and a disputed eviction narrative

The WOW Museo del Fumetto in Milan will close on June 15, 2025, not due to an eviction but because its 14-year concession has expired and the Fondazione Fossati, which runs the museum, has accumulated debts of €150,000–€180,000 in unpaid rent since 2017. The museum claims it was abandoned by the municipality after direct contributions ceased under Assessor Filippo Del Corno, but the city argues that the debt and organizational failures—including delays in fire prevention certification and underused spaces—prevented further support. The municipality offered to forgive the debt in exchange for part of the collection, but the process requires time for appraisals and approvals. The museum's director, Luigi Filippo Bona, has framed the situation as an institutional shutdown, launching a petition that has gathered nearly 10,000 signatures. However, the city maintains it is a routine end of lease, required by law to be re-tendered. A new tender is expected in July 2025, with assignment in September. The museum could reapply if it resolves its debts, possibly through the proposed collection swap. Critics point to a lack of managerial and fundraising capacity: the museum has no dedicated fundraising staff and has neglected corporate sponsorship opportunities during Milan's fashion and design weeks. The case has sparked media outrage, which the article argues is based on a misrepresentation of facts.