Sergio Risaliti appeals to Italian government to save artists from pandemic crisis

Sergio Risaliti, artistic director of Museo Novecento in Florence, published an urgent appeal on Artribune calling on the Italian government and Minister of Culture Dario Franceschini to implement structural support for artists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Risaliti argues that artists are the most vulnerable in the art system, lacking social protections and facing existential threats from the economic collapse. He proposes creating an investment fund to purchase works from young artists, strengthen public museum collections, and support curatorial and critical training. Drawing parallels to World War II when collector Alberto della Ragione provided basic necessities to artists like Renato Guttuso and Mafai, Risaliti warns that without immediate intervention, one or two generations of artists could be lost. He criticizes Italy's historical neglect of contemporary art, citing early 20th-century artists who fled to Paris due to lack of market and critical support. Risaliti emphasizes that museums and public art centers must now serve as essential tools for protecting artistic creation and fostering critical discourse. He concludes with a direct plea to policymakers: "Fate presto" (Hurry up).