Why shopping malls yes and museums no? ICOM Italy writes to Conte and ministers

ICOM Italy, the Italian emanation of theInternational Council of Museums (i.e., the highest body representing museums around the world) has written a letter to Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and ministers calling for the reopening of museums. There are several reasons to support the request: the fact that trade has been reopened in many regions, the fact that museums are safe places, the need for cultural professionals to work, and the social benefits of culture.

Below is the text of the letter ICOM sent to the prime minister and ministers.

"Dear Prime Minister, Dear Ministers,

We are aware that it will have to be a while before the international public returns to visit our museums, creating a beneficial inducement for the national and local economy. But is this what motivates their closure while in many parts of Italy it is once again possible to frequent stores and shopping centers, bars and restaurants? Is it believed that the “consumption” of culture is not equally necessary for people’s well-being and productive recovery?

Granting citizens the opportunity to leave their homes and move around on foot, by car or public transportation to go shopping, stroll in the parks and streets of our cities certainly means a return to life, but we do not understand why along the way they cannot also safely enter and visit a monument or museum. A question of priorities? But aren’t museums (by decree) essential public services, indispensable to cultural promotion and human and civic growth?

The decision of the second lockdown for cultural and performing arts venues was particularly hard to accept. After a period of great effort and considerable organizational and financial efforts to ensure maximum security for staff and visitors (strictly limited), it fell like a cold shower to extinguish the hope of a recovery that seemed possible. And the government’s measures, while meritorious, to partially compensate for the lost revenue, and provide relief to businesses involved in organizing exhibitions and events, have failed to restore confidence to those working in the sector.

Museum professionals during the pandemic have been able to put themselves back in the game with self-sacrifice and creativity by questioning their current mission and available tools, taking training courses and experimenting with new technologies, and promoting alternative solutions to bring all citizens closer to cultural heritage. With increasing intensity they are now oriented toward listening to different audiences, attentive to intercepting and embracing the challenges of a rapidly changing world. This is also why communities’ perceptions of these institutions are changing, of which there is an even deeper understanding of their positive role in these times of gloom and uncertainty for the future.

Museums today are safe places at the service of society where all citizens can approach the pleasure of knowledge finding solace in the difficulties of the present and nurture, through art and science, thought, imagination and creativity.

ICOM Italy understands that the continuation of a critical health situation prompts caution, but urges the government not to underestimate the important contribution that museums, and culture more generally, can make to the well-being and quality of life of individuals and communities.

Let’s open museums, now more than ever!

Adele Maresca Compagna
President ICOM Italy"

Pictured: left, the “Maximo” shopping center in Rome on Nov. 27 (ph. Gianluigi Lanzi). Right, the Borghese Gallery empty this summer.

Why shopping malls yes and museums no? ICOM Italy writes to Conte and ministers

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