The Tuscan Region’s investment of 7.5 million euro in
museums will support projects to put archives and libraries online and will
promote contemporary art, entertainment and theatre for young people.
It is the
second year running that the region, despite the financial crisis, has not cut
spending on culture.
‘Investing
in culture is an investment in growth and knowledge of citizens, which never
hurts; it also helps to create jobs and encourage tourism, an important sector
of our economy,’ said the president of Tuscany, Enrico Rossi. In a resolution
approved on March 27, the Region allocated 1.5 million euro to support
contemporary art; 1 million on promotional campaigns for weekly and thematic
exhibitions; 1.5 million to upgrade museums; nearly 2 million on libraries and
archives; and 1.5 million on arts show and engaging youth in the arts.
Among
upcoming plans for museums in Florence are the enhancement of the Natural
History Museum, programming for the annual Nights of Archaeology event (held in
collaboration with the Galileo Museum), and an art and tourism fair from May 18
to 10 at the Fortezza del Basso.