Post-pandemic divide between small and large Italian museums widens

The COVID-19 lockdown spurred innovation in Italian museums, but for many smaller institutions that momentum has faded. Professor Giusti of the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Pisa, drawing on Francesco Ramella's concept of "critical juncture," argues that the pandemic was a period when constraints loosened and previously unimaginable choices became possible. While major museums like the Uffizi in Florence sustained proactive approaches—continuing new services and launching projects—most small museums reverted to pre-pandemic rigidity. The gap between large and small museums, already present before lockdown, has now widened structurally. The author, Stefano Monti of Monti&Taft, contends that this divide stems not from visitor numbers or services but from a museum's vision of its own role. Small museums could serve as territorial anchors and identity hubs, fostering daily relationships with citizens and collaborating with local businesses. Yet many lack this vision, remaining bound by past constraints. Monti calls for breaking these ties so that all Italian museums, not just a few successful ones, can thrive.