The future of Italian art galleries, the changes in collecting and the relationship with the new generations, the alternatives available to public museums to ensure the continuity of the collections, the support policies for the most vulnerable galleries, the increasing autonomy of artists in the management of their works, the critical issues of the new Culture Decree and the perspectives of the entire Italian art sector.
These are some of the topics that ITALICS - the institutional network established in 2020 and now involving seventy-four of the leading galleries of ancient, modern and contemporary art based in Italy - chooses to address next Monday 24 February 2025 on the occasion of the third edition of the FORUM ITALICS, which arrives for the first time in Naples at the Madre museum.
Realised this year in collaboration with Fondazione Donnaregina per le Arti Contemporanee - Madre museum, the FORUM is an important opportunity for discussion and reflection on the art system. 

An event designed to stimulate dialogue on the role of galleries as cultural enterprises that brings together experts in the sector to address central themes in the current cultural panorama: a day that represents the concrete and operational expression of ITALICS' desire to promote collaboration and share experiences among those who have made art their profession.
The first part of the day will be held behind closed doors for gallery members. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., participants are called to discuss around six different working tables: THE ROLE OF ITALICS: PIANO QUINQUENNALE, moderated by Andrea Cancellato, will analyse the present and future role of ITALICS, emphasising the importance of a strategic plan for Italian art galleries that focuses on a model of active collaboration and planning; PANORAMA AND ITS EVOLUTION, moderated by Agostino Riitano, will examine the evolution, also from an international perspective, of PANORAMA, the project that, after its fourth edition in 2024, has consolidated itself as a tool for enhancing the territory and cultural and artistic heritage; COLLECTIONISM BETWEEN NEW TRANSFORMATIONS AND NEW GENERATIONS, moderated by Maurizio Morra Greco, will focus on the transformations in collecting, particularly in relation to new generations of collectors and the challenges of globalisation and economic trends; BEYOND CONSERVATION: THE COLLECTING MISSION OF ITALIAN MUSEUMS, moderated by Eva Fabbris, will instead explore the alternatives available to public museums, forced to come to terms with the economic difficulties that inevitably limit the possibilities of acquisition, in order to guarantee the continuity, care and relevance of their collections; GUARANTEING AND SUPPORTING THE MOST FRAGILE GALLERIES: WHICH CONCRETE POLICIES OR ACTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN? , moderated by Alessandra Troncone, will then examine the possible policies to be promoted to support the most vulnerable galleries, also in terms of recognition and economic support; and finally, the last round table GALLERIES - ARTISTS: THE SEARCH FOR NEW EQUILIBRIES, moderated by Andrea Abbamonte, will explore the changing relationship between gallery owners and artists, with a focus on the growing autonomy of artists in the management of their works.

In the afternoon, from 3 pm to 5 pm, the ITALICS FORUM will continue with the round table entitled DECREE ON CULTURE: NEXT STEPS TO TAKE.
The entire sector is going through great turmoil and has expressed great concern over the Italian government's recent decisions on VAT on the art market expected in the Culture Decree recently approved by the Chamber of Deputies.
This moment of confrontation represents an important opportunity for ITALICS to discuss the Government's decision not to include in the Culture Decree the amendment on VAT reduction, which was designed to take advantage of the opportunity offered by Directive (EU) 2022/54. Countries such as France and Germany have adopted favourable measures to support the art market: therefore, the Government's decision raises fears if no prompt action is taken to eliminate the competitive gap with other countries, considering the serious economic and cultural consequences that this would have on the art system in Italy, jeopardising the value of its internationally recognised artistic and cultural heritage.

From 5 to 6 p.m., Director Eva Fabbris will take Forum participants on a guided tour to the first chapter of The Years, a project that initiates a dialogue between the Madre collection and some of the major public and private collections, mainly from the city of Naples.

From 6 to 7 p.m., the ITALICS FORUM opens its doors to the public for the meeting WHAT FUTURE FOR THE ART SECTOR IN ITALY? (free admission subject to availability).

Participants include Alfonso Artiaco, gallery owner and ITALICS board member, Cesare Pietroiusti, artist (his works included in the 2020/2024 series of the project ‘...’ are on display at the Madre museum. and many other things’ entitled “Un desiderio in cinque parole” and “Il gioco della campana”, which can be visited until 3 March), Angela Tecce, President Fondazione Donnaregina per le Arti Contemporanee - Madre museum, Pietro Vallone, CFO MASSIMODECARLO and ANGAMC board member, moderated by Renata Caragliano, art critic and journalist, who examine the implications of such a significant historical moment in which the competitiveness and prospects of the entire Italian cultural system are being questioned. A system made up of a dense network of professionals made up of museums, galleries, artists, artisans and specialised operators who today are called upon to face challenges that will determine its future.

As main partner, Belmond confirms its support for ITALICS activities also on the occasion of the third edition of the Forum.