Jean Gazançon told Il Giornale d’Italia that the main message from the conference focused on combining traditional art investments and patronage with emerging approaches that allow private institutions and investors to deliver sustained funding for cultural assets worldwide. Those assets encompass historic buildings, the activities and exhibitions they host, restoration projects and initiatives that promote artistic creativity. Gazançon, speaking at the 18th Deloitte Private Art and Finance Conference in Venice, described the gathering as highly engaging, with motivated participants displaying clear passion both in the audience and among speakers. He added that the event took place in a city whose own development demonstrates how art can drive long-term growth.
The conference, organized by Deloitte Luxembourg and Deloitte Italia at the Casa di The Human Safety Net in Venice, convened representatives from business, finance, institutions and culture to examine the role of private capital in enhancing artistic heritage. An ANSA report on the proceedings quoted Adriano Picinati di Torcello, Deloitte’s global coordinator for Art and Finance, who stated that private capital can provide continuity, flexibility and innovation to the cultural system. Picinati di Torcello noted that such support must remain consistent with institutional aims and community requirements to generate lasting value. Ernesto Lanzillo, Deloitte Private Central Mediterranean leader, summarized that financing methods for culture are evolving, with the central challenge lying in enabling institutions and cities to continue growing, innovating and delivering benefits across generations.
Gazançon explained to Il Giornale d’Italia that sustaining artistic infrastructure and cultural investment over time is vital for the fabric of democracy. He pointed to the need for a sound mix of public and private funding, accurate ways to measure impact and, at times, greater decision-making authority for artists as the creative drivers. The ARTE Generali CEO observed that Venice itself illustrates how art-led development can shape a city’s future, making it a fitting backdrop for the discussion. According to the publication, he framed the relationship between art and finance as one that continues to evolve through both established and novel contribution models.
Gazançon said, “Art and finance sustain culture; long-term public and private investment is essential.” In the same interview he stated, “The key message of today’s conference is about mixing the power of traditional investment in art, patronage, and new forms through which private institutions and investors can contribute to establish long-term investment in cultural assets worldwide, whether buildings or activities housed in those buildings, restoration work, and promotion of artistic creativity inside those buildings.” ARTE Generali, founded in 2019 as a specialist unit within the Generali Group, concentrates on safeguarding collections by building client resilience and ensuring appropriate protective measures are in place. The company draws on networks of experts and deploys technology including artificial intelligence and blockchain to streamline conservation, according to Gazançon.
A Banca Generali analysis placed the global art market above 2.5 trillion dollars, projecting growth to 3.5 trillion dollars by 2030. The Italian Private Banking Association has reported that art investment already engages 20 percent of private families in Italy. The Deloitte conference further explored the shift in private cultural support from conventional patronage toward blended finance and impact investing models. Discussions highlighted the importance of public-private collaboration to strengthen cultural institutions and involve younger generations in heritage preservation.
ARTE Generali supports collectors and investors by focusing on the durability of artworks through expert advice on valuation, transport, restoration and storage. Gazançon told Il Giornale d’Italia that the firm’s approach centers on helping clients apply the correct protections to maintain art over time. The insurer connects clients with specialized services while employing digital tools to simplify processes and reduce administrative burdens. Such services align with the broader conference emphasis on measurable, sustainable investment in culture.
