Art bonus leads to 700 donations

(ANSA) - Mantua, October 12 - Culture Undersecretary Francesca Barracciu said Monday that the first data on a government tax break on art-related donations are "encouraging" but said there is "enormous room for improvement".
    "The first figures on the use of the art bonus are encouraging," Barracciu said during a presentation at the Mantova headquarters of Confindustria, the Italian employers' federation. "There have already been around 700 donations amounting to more than 25 million euros, but there is enormous room for improvement." The so-called art bonus allows for a 65% deduction on eligible donations in support of the country's cultural heritage, although this is expected tp fall to 50% next year.
    After Prato, Mantua is the second of four cities (the others are Ascoli Piceno and Parma) that Barracciu will visit in the coming weeks to highlight the government initiative.
    "This is a call to businesses to invite them to consider their social responsibility," Barracciu said. The art bonus is an effective tool in cultural policy that, in addition to providing resources for the arts, can stimulate the entire economy."