2.2.3. Possible solutions A national policy promoting contemporary Italian culture abroad More attention should be paid by public cultural policies to the promotion of contemporary Italian culture abroad. According to some interviewees, the creation of a sort of national agency for this purpose could improve the situation; foreign good practices could be taken as examples and be adapted to the specificities of the Italian context.
New funds Given that the most frequently identified obstacle to mobility is the lack of funding, the solutions most frequently proposed have to do with financial support for mobility. Those who clearly suggest the creation of new funds devoted to international mobility quote the Roberto Cimetta Fund as a best practice: a “flexible” fund covering (most of) the travel costs for artists of different fields who are willing to travel abroad, be it for training, career or inspiration, without rigid limits linked to age or aims. A micro-credit system specifically for artists was also suggested as a possible way to support the emerging companies and the smallest and youngest entities, which general face huge difficulties in accessing national or European funding sources.
Support for incoming mobility Support for incoming mobility could address mindset issues mentioned as an obstacle: contacts, exchanges and discussions with foreign colleagues could be particularly fruitful for young Italian artists, providing them with inspiration and suggestions. Incoming mobility also means inviting foreign curators (for the visual arts) and artistic directors (for the performing arts) so that exhibitions, meeting and festivals can act as “showcases” for Italian artists.
Strengthening the cultural sector A new attitude is required so that “the sector”: operators should collaborate more with each other, become responsible and take initiatives, rather than sit back and wait for “the system” to change. Fostering and promoting new strategic partnerships within “the sector” is a key to bridge the gap left by the lack – or weakness – of policies and funds specifically supporting mobility; through collaboration, venues and organisations can develop original solutions at local and international levels, and concrete experience showing the reliability of the partners and the efficacy of the actions can gain unforeseen support from public institutions, which would hardly be possible if only individual organisations working alone were involved (see Chapter 2.3.5). Opportunities for meetings among professionals – at all levels – and between the arts and cultural sector, public institutions and civil society would improve the situation and empower the cultural sector as a whole; creative use of the Web would facilitate communication and coordination and strengthen informal connections, which still remain the most effective source of information within the sector.
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