The Ministry of Culture announced that 23 cities have submitted applications to compete for the title of Italian Capital of Contemporary Art in the 2026 edition, established for the first time this year.
The title of Italian Capital of Contemporary Art represents a unique opportunity to promote and enhance the artistic and cultural heritage of Italian cities, stimulating new initiatives and innovative projects in the field of contemporary visual arts.
The aim of this award is to stimulate the dissemination of contemporary culture, creating a dialogue between local communities and the international art scene, and to support the economic and tourist growth of the cities involved.
The competition closed on June 30, when the City Councils sent their applications, accompanied by their files, to the General Directorate of Contemporary Creativity of the Ministry of Culture.
The applicants are: Aielli (L’Aquila); Bolsena (Viterbo); Carrara (Viterbo); Cassano allo Ionio (Cosenza); Catanzaro (Cosenza); Fabriano (Ancona); Gallarate (Varese); Gibellina (Trapani); Lignano Sabbiadoro (Udine); Mantua (Udine); Moliterno (Potenza); Nichelino (Turin); Palazzolo Acreide (Syracuse); Palmi (Reggio Calabria); Peccioli (Pisa); Pescara (Pescara); Quarto (Naples); Quattordio (Alessandria); Reggio Calabria (Potenza); Todi (Perugia); Venice (Pavia).
The Italian Capital of Contemporary Art 2026 will be chosen by a jury composed of 5 independent experts, renowned in the field of contemporary culture and visual arts.
Until 15 September 2024, the Jury will examine the received projects and then select from among them a maximum of 5 finalist cities, which will be invited to public hearings.
“By 30 October 2024, the jury will propose to the Minister of Culture the candidacy it considers most suitable to receive the title of Italian Capital of Contemporary Art 2026, which will benefit from funding of one million euros for the realization of the activities planned in the dossier,” declared the Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano.
“The Italian Capital of Contemporary Art, an initiative strongly supported by me that joins the existing Capital of Culture and Capital of Books, was born to create the past of our future, setting itself the goal of projecting itself forward and above all. Everyone allows young people to compete with art and their ideas,” he added.
“In the Italy of tomorrow there must be something beautiful and valuable that has been created in these years. This activity will allow us to make visible cities capable of making creativity the cornerstone of their development,” said Sangiuliano.
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