Three museum directors propose a manifesto for post-pandemic museums

In the wake of the global pandemic, three Italian museum directors—Sylvain Bellenger (Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte, Naples), Sergio Risaliti (Museo Novecento, Florence), and Giovanni Iovane (Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera, Milan)—have published a manifesto on Artribune calling for a radical rethinking of museums. They argue that the pandemic has accelerated a pre-existing crisis, challenging museums' economic models, social roles, and even their survival. The directors propose transforming museums into dynamic 'campus' or cultural hubs that prioritize education, research, digital production, and interdisciplinary collaboration over static conservation and spectacle. They emphasize that museums must serve as tools for aesthetic education, cognitive development, social inclusion, and cultural diplomacy, especially for young people and local communities. The manifesto stresses the need for financial sustainability, scientific innovation, and a renewed public-private partnership, while warning against commodification and profit-driven approaches that could undermine museums' core cultural mission. The directors envision museums as fluid, negotiable spaces that balance heritage preservation with forward-looking creativity and community engagement.