Recognizing culture as an investment for the country: joint letter to the government from industry associations

Eleven associations representing the Italian cultural sector have appealed to institutions to recognize culture as a strategic investment for the country’s future development. In fact, a joint letter was sent yesterday to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti, and Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli.

The appeal stems from the discussion and sharing developed during the Days of Performing Arts, an event organized and promoted byAGIS - the Italian General Association of Performing Arts on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of its founding. The meeting brought together the main associations in the world of culture and led to a common reflection on the fundamental role of culture in the economic, social and civil growth of Italy.

In the letter, the signatory associations highlight how publishing, museums, theaters, live entertainment, cinema, audiovisual, music, monumental and architectural heritage, archives, libraries, information and digital media constitute a fundamental resource for the country, capable of generating economic and employment value, as well as significantly affecting the quality of life, people’s well-being and community cohesion.

The letter also identifies a number of priorities deemed indispensable for defining a new shared cultural policy strategy. These include a gradual increase in public allocations for culture, with the goal of bringing them in line with the European average of 0.5 percent of GDP. The need to strengthen cultural demand through measures that encourage broader and more inclusive access, including through fiscal instruments, is then emphasized. Particular attention is given to the support of cultural and creative enterprises, whose role is recognized as central to the general interest, calling for regulatory simplification measures and a reduction in the tax burden.

The signatory associations also recall the need to protect national cultural enterprises in the confrontation with large non-European digital platforms, through policies aimed at safeguarding and enhancing copyright, promoting pluralism and competition, combating tax avoidance and supporting research and innovation. At the same time, the importance of structural investment in education and training as essential tools for broadening cultural participation and strengthening consumption in the sector is reiterated. Finally, it is stressed that public policies aimed at culture should not be understood as welfare measures, but as strategic choices oriented toward the country’s growth and development.

The letter is signed by AGIS - Associazione Generale Italiana dello Spettacolo, AICC - Associazione Imprese Culturali e Creative, AIE - Associazione Italiana Editori, ALI - Associazione Librai Italiani, ANICA - Associazione Nazionale Industrie Cinematografiche Audiovisive e Digitali, APA - Audiovisual Producers Association, CCI - Confindustria Cultura Italia, Federculture - Federazione Servizi Pubblici Cultura Turismo Sport Tempo Libero, FIMI - Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana, Impresa Cultura Italia - Confcommercio, PMI - Produttori Musicali Indipendenti and UNIVIDEO - Audiovisual Publishing Digital and Online Media.

Recognizing culture as an investment for the country: joint letter to the government from industry associations

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