Milano Next: Lombardy's live performance showcase returns for ninth edition

From November 13 to 15, 2017, Milano Next-Laboratorio delle Idee took place in Milan, a showcase for Lombardy's live performance production organizations funded by the Region in collaboration with Fondazione Cariplo and organized by Agis Lombardia. The initiative selects up to 29 production entities via public notice based on their track record, allowing them to present previews of upcoming shows to operators and audiences, fostering partnerships and new venues, and opening dialogue between critics and artists in collaboration with the Premio Lettera 22. A regional artistic commission evaluates the previews to allocate support funds based on qualitative criteria, complementing the quantitative access criteria. The ninth edition featured 26 productions at Teatro Franco Parenti and Teatro Elfo Puccini in Milan, representing diverse histories, sizes, and artistic research. The project aims to inject dynamism into a sector often overlooked by public authorities. Cristina Cappellini, Assessore alle Culture, Identità e Autonomie of Regione Lombardia, announced plans to request fiscalization of the Fus (Fondo unico per lo spettacolo). The event comes shortly after the approval of the long-awaited Legge per lo Spettacolo, whose effects will be assessable from 2018 onward, with implementing decrees expected within 12 months.