White paper on creativity - ebla center

Chapter 1414.9 Concluding remarks:some simple actionmeasuresTo conclude, we would like to mentionwhat we believe could be the initialelements in an impact therapy for theItalian contemporary art system. Theseactions are not meant to replace thepatient work of constructing a longtermstrategy but as an eloquent andcredible sign of real change. Themeasures will be illustrated in greaterdetail in the Final Recommendations.Here we will outline and highlight theirinterdependent character. Rather thanworking on broad issues and structuralproblems which are difficult to solve, itseemed more useful and practical tobegin with the intermediate issues forartists and operators in the sector.These action measures should beaccompanied by a more in-depthcomplex study on the themes andplayers discussed in the previous pages.1. Set up international programmesoffering foreign curators the chance tospend time studying in Italy2. Include Italian artists in thenetworks of the most interestinginternational artist-in-residenceprogrammes3. Accustom artists to presenting anddiscussing their own work4. Support artists invited to majorforeign institutions, not only in theearly days of their career, but especiallyduring the crucial stages ofconsolidating their internationalreputations5. Develop the DARC (GeneralDepartment for ContemporaryArchitecture and Art in the Ministry ofCulture) with suitable funding andmake it function as an agency ofcontemporary art6. Introduce a fair tax system forItalian galleries, enabling them todevelop their business and compete onequal terms with galleries in othercountries.This is an ambitious but feasible actionprogramme, as has been demonstratedby experiences in many European andother countries which have madeawareness of contemporary art a toppriority in cultural policy. There is noreason why Italy cannot do likewise.WHITE PAPER ON CREATIVITY 338