Museums face reopening challenges due to staff shortages and digital transformation

In an interview with Artribune, Antonio Lampis, head of the Direzione Generale Musei del Mibact, discussed the challenges Italian state museums face as they prepare to reopen after the COVID-19 lockdown. He noted that before the pandemic, museums already had half the required custodians, and many are elderly and vulnerable, making a full reopening impossible. Solutions include reduced hours, limited visits, contactless payments, and digital tracking to manage visitor flows. Lampis emphasized the need to shift from counting ticket sales to measuring digital engagement, as online audiences have doubled. He advocated for museums to retain control of digital services rather than outsourcing them, and highlighted the importance of listening to younger generations via social media. The interview also touched on the potential of platforms like TikTok, the need for structural improvements (bathrooms, elevators, protective glass), and the hope for European funding to support security, exhibitions, and payment systems. Lampis stressed that state support for museums is essential, as private funding may take time to return.