Italy will have an Italian Capital of Contemporary Art every year: initiative presented today

In addition to the Italian Capital of Culture and the Italian Capital of the Book, the Italian Capital of Contemporary Art will be added, a recognition aimed at encouraging and supporting the planning and implementation capacity of Italian cities in the field of the promotion and enhancement of’contemporary art, through the realization and redevelopment of spaces and areas dedicated to fruition, so that the value of culture for the national identity process, for cohesion and social inclusion, integration, creativity, innovation, growth, economic development and individual and collective wellbeing is increasingly understood. The initiative promoted and desired by Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano was presented today in Rome at the Ministry of Culture.

To realize and redevelop areas and spaces to be used for the production and enjoyment of contemporary art; to enhance the territory and promote local skills in the field of contemporary creativity, also involving young talents and national and international contemporary artists to develop exchanges of professional experience and creative confrontation; encourage the construction of networks between public entities (museums, art centers, institutions) and private non-profit entities (associations, foundations, independent spaces, non-profit spaces) devoted to research and experimentation on contemporary art; strengthen social cohesion and inclusion, as well as the development of public participation; use new technologies, with the aim of increasing the involvement of the younger generations as well and improving accessibility; promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the visual, performing and creative sectors, including through the creation of sector networks and supply chains; achieve sustainable results in cultural innovation; promote the Italian imaginary and national creativity also to improve the attractiveness of the territory in the international context; pursue the goals set by the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: these are the specific objectives for the Italian Capital of Contemporary Art.

Thepublic notice, promoted by the General Directorate for Contemporary Creativity of the Ministry of Culture, finances cultural projects that include activities such as exhibitions, festivals and reviews, as well as the creation and redevelopment of spaces and areas dedicated to contemporary art.

Therefore, cities, individual municipalities or aggregations of municipalities, wishing to apply for the title, may submit an application no later than June 30, 2024, with a project dossier attached, including title, cultural project, body responsible for the project, artistic director, curators and scientific committee, assessment of economic and financial sustainability and objectives pursued, with relevant indicators.

A jury of five independent experts from the world of culture and contemporary visual arts will evaluate the applications and review the projects and then select a maximum of five finalist cities from them by September 15, 2024. These will subsequently be invited to public hearings to be held by October 14, 2024. The jury, by October 30, 2024, will propose to the Minister of Culture the candidacy deemed most suitable to be awarded the title of Italian Capital of Contemporary Art 2026, which will enjoy funding of one million euros for the implementation of the activities planned in the dossier.

For information, it is possible to write to dg-cc.ciac@cultura.gov.it, including the words “Information for Italian Capital of Contemporary Art 2026” in the subject line.

The call for proposals, published on the institutional website of the Ministry of Culture’s General Directorate for Contemporary Creativity, is available at the following link: https://creativitacontemporanea.cultura.gov.it/ciac-2026

Statements

“This is a project designed to enhance and promote contemporary art in our national territory, recognizing and celebrating the diversity and richness of the cultural identities that characterize Italy. This initiative aims to transform art, in all its current declinations, into a vibrant bridge between the various regions, supporting local artists and fostering the identity awareness of individuals to the communities they belong to,” said Angelo Piero Cappello, Director General Contemporary Creativity of the Ministry of Culture. “Through the Italian Capital of Contemporary Art we intend not only to highlight artistic talent, but also to stimulate a constructive dialogue on Italian cultural identity, encouraging broader inclusion and a deeper understanding of our roots and future aspirations. It is an invitation to active participation, a stimulus to experience the beauty and provocation of contemporary art and to discover how it can influence and enrich our perception of the world and ourselves.”

“A further development opportunity for territories starting from one of our country’s strengths, its cultural heritage,” said Undersecretary for Culture Lucia Borgonzoni. “A treasure chest of unique beauty in the world, which tells of a long past of traditions and boasts an unparalleled ability to multiply, fueled by the engine of creativity, innovation, and experimentation as the propulsive thrust that moves the steps of our artists and inspires the youngest talents. Cultivating this heritage is the task of the Ministry, which to this end has put and will put as many measures in place to enhance the cultural and creative excellence of our communities, in the awareness that they represent one of the fundamental pillars for Italy’s growth and that their value increases their attractiveness on the international scene. Our synergistic action, developed on several fronts, can also count from today on this prestigious recognition.”

“The Italian Capital of Contemporary Art,” Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano finally concluded, “aims to create the past of our future, setting the goal of projecting forward and above all allowing young people to measure themselves with art and their ideas. In the Italy of tomorrow, there will have to be something beautiful and appreciable that has been created in these years. To the Italian Capital of Culture and the Italian Capital of Books, we add this initiative that will allow a spotlight to be shone on cities capable of making creativity the cornerstone of their development. We are proud of this initiative that tends to make citizens participate in a collective public moment of participation, especially of young people.”

Photo by Emanuele Antonio Minerva - Ministry of Culture

Italy will have an Italian Capital of Contemporary Art every year: initiative presented today

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.