Lucia Chiatti
Lucia Chiatti is a highly qualified professional in the field of culture and live events. She combines a solid artistic background with extensive expertise in economics and management, which she has applied throughout her career in the cultural sector.
Academic and Artistic Background
Lucia Chiatti earned a degree in Economics and Business from the University of Ancona in 2001, with a thesis titled “The Economic and Financial Management of Opera Foundations: The Case of Teatro alla Scala”, reflecting her early interest in cultural management.
Alongside her academic studies, she cultivated a strong artistic background. In 2004, she earned a diploma in Opera Singing from the “G. Rossini” Conservatory in Pesaro, studying under Maestro Robleto Merolla. She began studying piano at the age of six and continued through the seventh year of the Conservatory’s ten-year program, also in Pesaro. Keen to combine her passions for music and economics, she pursued further specialization in cultural management at Bocconi University in Milan, focusing on professional practices in the performing arts sector.
Career Beginnings
Her professional journey began at the Arena Sferisterio Association in Macerata, where in 2002 she assisted the administration office during the Macerata Opera Festival, contributing to both cultural and organizational activities. Her passion for live performance also extended into academia, where she worked as a teaching assistant in the Economics course within the Music and Performing Arts Management degree program at the University of Macerata, Faculty of Communication Sciences.
Key Roles and Leadership
In 2001, she joined the Pergolesi Spontini Foundation, where she became Head of Administration Services in 2003. Her strategic competence and dedication led to her appointment as Acting CEO in December 2017, and she was promoted to General Director in 2020. In January 2022, she was named Director of the Marche Spettacolo Consortium, an organization committed to promoting the cultural heritage of the Marche region. Her leadership was further recognized in 2023 with her election to the Executive Boards of Federculture and Italiafestival, underscoring her national standing in the cultural landscape.
Awards and Recognition
Lucia Chiatti’s talent and dedication were honored in 2024 with the prestigious “Donne d’Amore” International Award, presented at the Auditorium of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome during the event Vissi d’Arte – Homage to Maria Callas, promoted by Roma Capitale for the National Day Against Body Shaming. The award, dedicated to outstanding women, recognized her “constant dedication to infusing every cultural initiative with both emotional impact and entrepreneurial vision, through the excellence of the roles she has held.”
Vision and Contributions
Her managerial vision is based on the integration of tradition and innovation, through initiatives such as:
- Youth Engagement: development of educational programs and audience development projects to bring younger generations closer to theatre and music.
- Cultural Inclusion: implementation of accessible performances for people with disabilities, promoting culture as a universal right.
- Internationalization: creation of partnerships with international institutions and artists to broaden the Foundation’s reach.
- Sustainability: a strong focus on economic, social, and environmental sustainability, applying tools such as sustainability reporting and adherence to Minimum Environmental Criteria. She has launched training programs on circular economy practices in the performing arts and is exploring the use of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to innovate artistic production.
She strongly believes in the importance of collaboration with universities and research centers, promoting an active exchange of knowledge and skills that looks to the future while preserving—and enhancing—the craftsmanship inherent in the theatre tradition.
Looking Ahead
Thanks to her experience and leadership, Lucia Chiatti has recently been reappointed as Director of the Pergolesi Spontini Foundation and has been named Superintendent of the Arena Sferisterio in Macerata, as part of a strategic partnership between the two traditional theatres of the Marche region. These appointments highlight her pivotal role in promoting both regional and national cultural development and are expected to strengthen the presence of both institutions on the national and international stage.
A Lifelong Commitment to Culture
Combining artistic passion with managerial precision, Lucia Chiatti has turned her academic background and professional experience into an exemplary career, making a significant contribution to the development of the Italian cultural sector. She is now one of the few women leading nationally recognized Italian cultural institutions.
