Direttori scelti per interpello e non per concorso. La grande restaurazione dei musei statali
The Italian state museum system is undergoing a significant reversal of the landmark 2015 Franceschini reforms, which originally opened director positions to international competition and private-sector expertise. Recent appointments at major institutions like the Reggia di Caserta and the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice indicate a shift away from global searches toward internal ministerial assignments, effectively turning museum leadership back into a closed bureaucratic career path.
This 'counter-reform' signals a retreat from the meritocratic, market-oriented approach that revitalized Italian museums over the last decade. By prioritizing internal state officials over international managers and academics, the current administration risks stifling the innovation and global competitiveness that previously led to record-breaking success for Italy’s cultural heritage sites.