Contemporary Art Management
PROF. ALESSANDRO PARMIGGIANI
COURSE CONTENT
World of contemporary art: general nature, organisation and related market;
systems, sub-systems and interrelations.
The functions of a museum of contemporary art and the international debate about
its role. General principles for the organisation and management of a museum.
Museum budget. Examination of the organisational characteristics and the financial
statements for Italy's leading contemporary art museum (MART in Trento/
Rovereto).
The system of contemporary art galleries in Italy and at an international level.
Management issues. Relationships with the museums of contemporary art.
The museums of contemporary art and the organisation of temporary exhibitions:
analysis of the organisational phases and related costs and revenues.
External and internal communication of exhibits; mailing lists. Instructional
activity.
Museum friends associations: role and trends. Recent developments with regard
to sponsorships.
Some of the museums of contemporary art in Italy.
Problems and perspectives of the main players in the modern-day art system
(museums and exhibition centres; galleries and agents; auction houses; private,
corporate and institutional collectors; artists; communications experts) resulting
from the effects of the economic-financial downturn over the last eight years (drop
in public financing; difficulties affecting private sponsors; tax laws). Recent
developments at the leading contemporary art museums in Italy: current and
prospective trends of the museum network and probable consolidation. Museum
networks and relationships with the community.
Certain museums with particular aims and their relationship with contemporary art:
ecclesiastical museums; city museums; museums created by banking foundations.
ICOM. Prospects for the sustainable operation of Italy's cultural system.
AMACI: scope, initiatives, associates.
Changes introduced by the Ronchey Law of 1993.
Ministry of Heritage and Cultural Activities: Guidelines about Technical/Scientific
Criteria and Standards of Operation and Development for Museums (Legislative
Decree no. 112/98, Article 150, Paragraph 6).
2004 Code for Cultural Heritage Properties and the Landscape.
Ministry of Heritage and Cultural Activities: General Directorate for the
Landscape, Fine Arts, Architecture and Contemporary Art.
READING LIST
Materials supplied in class.
A. MOTTOLA MOLFINO, L’etica dei musei, Allemandi, Torino, 2004.
S. CHIODI (compiled by), Le funzioni del museo. Arte, museo, pubblico nella contemporaneità, Le
Lettere, Florence, 2009 (in particular, the chapter by Stefania Zuliani).
F. DONATO-A.M. VISSER TRAVAGLI, Il museo oltre la crisi: dialogo tra museologia e management,
Electa Mondadori, Milan, 2010.
Guida ai luoghi dell’arte contemporanea, Mondadori Electa, Milan, 2009.
Texts of laws to be set out in the course programme.
SEGNALINI, Dizionario giuridico dell’arte. Guida al diritto per il mondo dell’arte, Skira, Milan
2010.
TEACHING METHOD
Lectures with student participation.
Presentations by experts and protagonists.
ASSESSMENT METHOD
Interview on general course content, with in-depth study of a specific topic.
NOTES
Further information can be found on the lecturer's webpage at
http://docenti.unicatt.it/web/searchByName.do?language=ENG or on the Faculty notice
board.