Cristiano Leone

Cristiano Leone is a cultural manager with a background in philology, distinguished in the fields of artistic direction, dramaturgy, and theory within performance art and the performing arts. He is currently the president of the Santa Maria della Scala museum complex in Siena.

He has worked both in the public and private sectors and has collaborated with Paris-Sorbonne University, French Academy in Rome, Electa, the Roman National Museum, the Spanish Embassy in Italy, the Bath of Caracalla, and the Centre des Monuments Nationaux - Cité internationale de la langue française. He has taught at University of Namur, Sciences Po Paris, Bocconi University in Milan and LUISS Guido Carli Business School in Rome.

He has published landmark medievalist works on the fables of Petrus Alphonsi, providing an original genealogy and historical context of these texts. His new translation and informative introduction on Petrus Alphonsi's ''Disciplina clericalis'' substantially contributed to understanding Exempla literature in Latin and vernacular.

He was responsible for the cultural programming and for communication at the French Academy in Rome from 2016 to 2019. For this institution, he organised numerous public meetings, curated and coordinated exhibitions with French, Italian and international leading artists.

Since 2019 he runs his own production company, Cristiano Leone Productions. His curatorial approach seeks to connect and encourage the dialogue between contemporary creation, and historical and artistic heritage.

As artistic and linguistic director, he was instrumental in developing ideas for transforming the Château de Villers-Cotterêts into the future ''Cité internationale de la langue française''.

In November 2023 Cristiano Leone launched at MAXXI Museum in Rome his latest work: ''Atlas of Performing Culture'', the first volume published by Rizzoli New York with the ambition to place the phenomenon of performance through a broad cultural lens.

Since January 2024, Cristiano Leone has served as the President of the Santa Maria della Scala Foundation, the largest museum complex in Siena. Upon his appointment, Leone articulated a comprehensive managerial strategy aimed at revitalizing the institution and enhancing its cultural prominence.

Under his leadership the Santa Maria della Scala Foundation initiated a significant expansion of its corporate structure, proposing the inclusion of the Ministry of Culture and the Universities of Siena as new stakeholders.

Concurrently, the Foundation has introduced an ambitious Masterplan - an architectural, urban, and museographic reimagining of the historic hospital complex. Three internationally renowned architectural firms - Odile Decq, Studio LAN, and Hannes Peer—have been invited to participate in this project. The objective is to adapt the museum spaces to contemporary and future needs, transforming the Santa Maria della Scala into a global cultural hub, a center for study, research, innovation, art, culture, and conviviality.  

These initiatives reflect a managerial strategy focused on the enhancement of historical and artistic heritage through inclusive governance and an innovative artistic vision, positioning the Santa Maria della Scala as a leading institution in the international cultural landscape.

Leone's approach integrates his dual expertise in management and the arts, focusing on several key areas:

* Implementing projects that safeguard and highlight the historical, cultural, and artistic heritage of Santa Maria della Scala.

* Establishing collaborations with both public entities and private organizations to foster innovative cultural initiatives. * Introducing performative arts within the museum's spaces to create dynamic and engaging cultural experiences. * Encouraging interactions between the museum's historical assets and contemporary art forms, leveraging technology to enhance visitor engagement. * Immediate Impact and Audience Growth

Leone's strategic initiatives have yielded significant results. In 2024, the museum experienced a notable increase in visitors, attributed to the introduction of innovative programs and events that resonated with a diverse audience. This surge in attendance underscores the effectiveness of Leone's vision in making Santa Maria della Scala a vibrant cultural hub.

Through this multifaceted strategy, Cristiano Leone has successfully positioned Santa Maria della Scala as a dynamic institution that honors its rich heritage while embracing contemporary cultural dialogues. Provided by Wikipedia