Milan seeks new MUDEC operator as museum doubles permanent collection space

The Municipality of Milan has published a European tender for a new concessionaire to manage services at the Museo delle Culture (MUDEC), which opened in spring 2015 in the former Ansaldo factory, designed by David Chipperfield. The current operator, 24 Ore Cultura, has run the museum since its inception alongside Expo 2015. The eight-year concession, valued at €84.36 million, covers integrated management of cultural activities, cafeteria, restaurant (Milan's only three-Michelin-star restaurant), bookshop, and parking. The annual base fee is €100,000, subject to increase. Bids must be submitted by 13:00 on September 28, 2026, via the ARIA/Sintel platform of Regione Lombardia. Award criteria favor quality, innovation, and sustainability (80 points for technical proposal, 20 for economic offer). Requirements include organizing at least five exhibitions, managing a restaurant or café-bistro, and a parking garage with at least 60 spaces in the last ten years. The winner must reserve 30% of hires for youth and 30% for women. Concurrently, the museum will double its permanent collection exhibition space from 500 to 1,000 square meters, increasing displayed works from 300 to 700, and add a children's room. Culture councilor Tommaso Sacchi emphasized the need for high-profile exhibitions and qualified services to attract local, national, and international audiences. The tender is published on the municipality's website.