Virtual panel discussion co-presented with the Italian Embassy on the impact of Save Venice’s Immediate Response Fund in Venice since the floods of November 2019–the second worst in Venice’s history. Panelists include Christopher Apostle, Senior Vice President, Sotheby’s New York; Melissa Conn, Venice Director, Save Venice; Frederick Ilchman, Chair, Art of Europe, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; and Xavier F. Salomon, Deputy Director, Peter Jay Sharp Chief Curator, The Frick Collection; with remarks from His Excellency Armando Varricchio, Ambassador of Italy to the United States.  

Acqua alta, or high water, presents an ongoing challenge to maintaining and protecting Venice’s historic sites and patrimony. Although acqua alta is an occasional phenomenon that the city expects, last November a series of extreme hide tides caused heartbreaking damage that necessitated quick action. Within days of the floods, Save Venice created the Immediate Response Fund to ensure a budget for artistic heritage relief and preventative conservation to safeguard the city’s most vulnerable sites. Through the launch of the #AmericaLovesVenice campaign with the Italian Embassy, crucial dollars were raised for the fund, more than $700,000 from over 570 donors worldwide. 

On September 17, our panelists will present highlights of work at 22 sites, while also considering the impact of high water in Venice and steps to mitigate climate change.

*Exclusively offered to current Save Venice Members, Immediate Response Fund Donors, and guests of the Italian Embassy.