Art can officially be a form of therapy. Interview with Undersecretary of Culture Lucia Borgonzoni, godmother of the project

The Italian Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Health have signed a formal protocol recognizing art as a form of therapy and care. The agreement, championed by Undersecretary of State for Culture Lucia Borgonzoni, mandates that museums, libraries, archives, and cultural institutions play a central role in developing therapeutic pathways using art to improve individual and community well-being. Borgonzoni, who has advocated for this initiative for nearly a decade, traces its origin to a 2018 study at the Sanctuary of Vicoforte that measured cortisol levels in visitors before and after viewing frescoes, showing significant stress reduction.

This protocol marks a landmark shift in Italian cultural policy, formally integrating the arts into the national healthcare framework. By aiming to introduce "social prescriptions" for culture by February 2026, Italy joins other nations that already use cultural engagement as a health intervention. The initiative not only validates the therapeutic potential of art but also redefines the role of cultural institutions as active partners in public health, potentially influencing how museums and heritage sites are funded and programmed in the future.