ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Italian Museums and Galleries Launch Digital Initiatives During COVID-19 Lockdown

digital · 2026-04-27

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, cultural institutions in Italy transitioned to online platforms. Galleria Valentina Bonomo introduced 'Artist Diary,' featuring artists such as Mimmo Paladino. Gagosian Rome showcased Sarah Sze in its 'Artist Spotlight.' T293 offered 'Studio Views' with Joshua Miller. The initiative 'Nel Cuore delle Marche' by ANCI Marche and Casa Sponge provided support to families. Museo Civico Luigi Varoli raised funds for Lugo's hospital. Villa Romana presented 'OnLife,' while Villa Massimo hosted 'Arte per i vicini.' Palazzo delle Esposizioni initiated 'Tra Munari e Rodari,' and Fondazione VOLUME! produced a memory book. Various institutions also engaged in podcasts, online exhibitions, and digital events, with Artissima sharing digital content and the Marche region unveiling a virtual museum tour.

Key facts

  • Galleria Valentina Bonomo launched 'Artist Diary' with artists including Mimmo Paladino, David Tremlett, Julian Opie.
  • Gagosian Rome started 'Artist Spotlight' featuring Sarah Sze and Stanley Whitney.
  • T293 Rome presented 'Studio Views' beginning with Joshua Miller.
  • ANCI Marche and Casa Sponge raised funds with 32 artists for families in need.
  • Museo Civico Luigi Varoli fundraiser supported Umberto I hospital in Lugo.
  • Villa Romana hosted online exhibition 'OnLife'.
  • Villa Massimo presented 'Arte per i vicini' with works visible from outside.
  • Palazzo delle Esposizioni launched 'Tra Munari e Rodari' for children.
  • Fondazione VOLUME! started 'Cartoline dall'isolamento' for a collective memory book.
  • Fondazione smART offered digital art pills with Marta Silvi.
  • Magazzino gallery launched 'Rear Window' online journal.
  • Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica started #fictionBarberini series.
  • PAV in Turin offered weekly digital appointments.
  • Teatro Linguaggicreativi presented 'Corpi sul Palco' online performances.
  • Art UP launched podcasts on art and mental health.
  • Venice Galleries View website aggregated nine galleries.
  • WAAM Tours offered interactive video conferences supporting hospitals.
  • TBA-21 Academy and Ocean Space launched 'Nowtilus' podcast series.
  • 25 April celebrations in Rome included online events.
  • Treccani Arte introduced a monthly newsletter.
  • Artissima shared digital content and #ArtissimaRewind.
  • Fondazione Merz celebrated 15 years with #FondazioneMerzRewind.
  • Accademia Carrara released videos in Italian Sign Language.
  • Marzia Migliora presented 'Lo spettro di Maltus' at MA*GA museum.
  • Artissima and Juventus collaborated on Artissima Junior online.
  • MAXXI made 'After Us' video program available online.
  • Marche region launched a virtual tour of museums.
  • Latitudo Art Projects presented 'Rodari Online' readings.
  • Rome organized digital events for May Day.
  • Fondazione Adolfo Pini started 'Studio Visit' with 30 young artists.
  • Nico Vascellari introduced DOOU performance on Codalunga YouTube.
  • Spazio Microba opened virtual exhibition 'Hommage à Sburracchioni'.
  • Festival della Fotografia Etica announced World Report Award 2020.
  • 'Poster Quotidiano' initiative sold posters for charity.
  • Fondazione Pino Pascali presented 'Pino Pascali. Fotografie' online.
  • Musei Civici di Bassano del Grappa previewed Piranesi exhibition.
  • Fondazione Benetton shared Carlo Scarpa Prize films on Vimeo.
  • MAR in Ravenna expanded web presence.
  • Villa Reale in Monza promoted 'Giappone. Terra di Geisha e Samurai' online.
  • Ferrara offered digital activities for Previati exhibition.
  • Museo Diocesano di Padova launched social campaigns for terracotta sculpture show.
  • Ludovico Pratesi started 'L'arte del futuro' conversations on Twitch.
  • In Between Art Film commissioned 'Mascarilla 19' project on domestic violence.
  • MART in Rovereto increased online content and joined MuseumWeek.
  • Fondazione Pistoia Musei streamed documentaries.
  • Palazzo delle Esposizioni presented 'Condizione Assange' with Miltos Manetas portraits.
  • Circolo del Design di Torino launched 'Welcome to the Post-Analog Condition' platform.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Galleria Valentina Bonomo
  • Gagosian Rome
  • T293 Rome
  • ANCI Marche
  • Casa Sponge
  • Museo Civico Luigi Varoli
  • Villa Romana
  • Villa Massimo
  • Accademia Tedesca Roma
  • Palazzo delle Esposizioni
  • Corraini Edizioni
  • Biblioteche di Roma
  • ENS – Ente Nazionale Sordi
  • Fondazione VOLUME!
  • Fondazione smART – polo per l’arte
  • Magazzino
  • Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica di Roma
  • PAV – Parco Arte Vivente di Torino
  • Teatro Linguaggicreativi
  • Art UP
  • Museo del Novecento di Milano
  • Venice Galleries View
  • Alberta Pane
  • Beatrice Burati
  • Anderson Art Space & Gallery
  • Caterina Tognon
  • La Galleria Dorothea van der Koelen
  • Ikona Gallery
  • Marignana Arte
  • marina bastianello gallery
  • Michela Rizzo
  • Victoria Miro
  • WAAM (Walk Alternative Art Milan)
  • TBA-21 Academy
  • Ocean Space
  • Musei Civici di Roma
  • Casa della Memoria e della Storia
  • Fondazione Musica per Roma
  • Casa del Cinema
  • Romaeuropa Festival
  • Teatro di Roma
  • Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai beni culturali
  • MACRO MUSEUM
  • Santa Cecilia
  • Treccani Arte
  • Artissima
  • Fondazione Merz
  • Accademia Carrara di Bergamo
  • LISten Project
  • The Blank Contemporary Art
  • Museo MA*GA
  • Italian Council
  • Juventus
  • MAXXI
  • Regione Marche
  • Fondazione Marche Cultura
  • ICOM Marche
  • Latitudo Art Projects
  • Roma Capitale – Assessorato alla Crescita culturale
  • Istituzione Biblioteche di Roma
  • Fondazione Cinema per Roma | CityFest
  • Nuovo Cinema Aquila
  • Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna
  • Teatro dell’Opera di Roma
  • Fondazione Adolfo Pini
  • Codalunga
  • Spazio Microba
  • Festival della Fotografia Etica
  • Casa Testori
  • Collezione Giuseppe Iannaccone
  • Fondazione Progetto Arca Onlus
  • Fondazione Pino Pascali
  • myphotoportal
  • Musei Civici di Bassano del Grappa
  • Fondazione Benetton Studi Ricerche
  • MAR di Ravenna
  • Villa Reale Monza
  • ARTIKA
  • Comune di Ferrara
  • Fondazione Ferrara Arte
  • Castello Estense
  • Palazzo dei Diamanti
  • Museo Diocesano di Padova
  • Soprintendenza area metropolitana di Venezia e province di Belluno, Padova e Treviso
  • EIIS
  • Culturise
  • In Between Art Film
  • MART di Rovereto
  • Google Arts and Culture
  • Azienda per il Turismo di Rovereto e Vallagarina
  • Fondazione Pistoia Musei
  • Circolo del Design di Torino
  • MiBACT

Locations

  • Rome
  • Italy
  • Los Angeles
  • United States
  • Marche
  • Pergola
  • Lugo di Romagna
  • Florence
  • Turin
  • Milan
  • Venice
  • Bergamo
  • Gallarate
  • Bassano del Grappa
  • Vicenza
  • Ravenna
  • Monza
  • Ferrara
  • Padua
  • Rovereto
  • Pistoia
  • Bari
  • Lodi
  • Naples
  • Capri
  • Ischia
  • Paris
  • Spinazzola

Sources