Survey probes Italian museums' pandemic response and digital shift

Four researchers have launched a survey to assess how Italian museums have adapted to the pandemic. Federica Antonucci (Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria), Ilaria Bollati (Politecnico di Milano Design Department), art historian Marta Spanevello, and Valeria Morea (Erasmus University Rotterdam) created questionnaires for both visitors and museum staff. The study, titled "EXTRAORDINARIA: L'emergenza, l'esperienza, il digitale. Una nuova normalità culturale?", explores whether the crisis accelerated existing digital trends or fundamentally changed cultural offerings. Italian museums remain closed under the November 3 decree, prompting protests. The researchers aim to compare visitor and staff responses to evaluate the effectiveness of digital initiatives and identify untapped potential for sustainability. Separate questionnaires target visitors and cultural institution directors.