Museums and exhibitions can be powerful tools for financial education: the case of the Bank of Italy

Art, exhibitions and museum experiences can represent an important learning opportunity, especially for the youngest. A concrete example comes from the analysis conducted by the Bank of Italy on the impact of the exhibition The Adventure of Money , hosted in Rome between October 2023 and June 2024. The exhibition, organized by the central bank, was dedicated to financial education and aimed to raise awareness among the public, especially students and adults, on fundamental economic issues.

The interest in social well-being and the awareness of the importance of basic financial knowledge are the basis of this initiative. In an increasingly complex global context, knowing how to read economic dynamics is essential to face the challenges of the present and the future, says the Italian central bank, which in this spirit launched the MUDEM – Museo del Denaro project. The goal is precisely to stimulate the public's curiosity on the key themes of economic and financial culture.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the exhibition The Adventure of Money , Banca d'Italia conducted an experiment involving approximately 600 students from 19 Italian secondary schools. The study analyzed both the teaching tools used and the level of previous knowledge of the students, in order to fill any educational gaps in the financial field.

The sample consisted of 63% high school students and 37% technical and professional institute students. In particular, 45% were girls, 53% were boys and 2% indicated another gender.

In the initial questionnaire, about a third of the students declared that they frequently discuss economics at school or at home, 76% of the students recognized the usefulness of banks, while 21% did not express a clear opinion.

Financial skills were measured through a 22-question test administered before and after the exhibition visit. The results showed a significant increase in knowledge, with an improvement of about one-third compared to the initial level. The effect was particularly marked among female students, and there was no decline in learning in the month following the visit.

The experience, according to the analysis, has also strengthened awareness of the role of banks, the functions of the European Central Bank and the Bank of Italy, and has increased interest in economic and financial issues.

The paper by the Bank of Italy highlights how informal learning environments, such as museums, science centers and extracurricular programs, can effectively integrate traditional school education (typically characterized by frontal lessons whose effects vary based on format and duration). These environments stimulate critical thinking, problem-solving skills and promote lifelong learning.

Technology has played a key role in enriching the museum experience, through the use of interactive displays, augmented reality and mobile apps, making learning more immersive and engaging.

The exhibition was divided into nine thematic rooms, each dedicated to a historical moment or an economic concept, with a narrative voice that guided visitors in reading the exhibits, connecting historical and numismatic elements to key educational messages. In particular, the sixth room was dedicated to concepts such as inflation and deflation, illustrated through historical examples.

The final part of the exhibition focused on current events, highlighting the importance of financial stability and the role played by the Bank of Italy and the Eurosystem in countering economic risks.

The exhibition was designed primarily for a school audience, with free admission and dedicated educational activities. In the first 211 days of opening, The Adventure of Money recorded 19,934 visitors, of whom 40% were students. 24% of visitors purchased a ticket, while the remaining 36% benefited from free admission reserved for young people under 26, teachers, employees and guests of the Bank of Italy.