Construction Begins on Milan's National Museum of Digital Art
After five years of delays, construction has commenced on the Museo Nazionale dell'Arte Digitale (MNAD) in Milan. This project, initiated in 2021 during the Draghi administration with then-Culture Minister Dario Franceschini, will be located in the Albergo Diurno Venezia and the Casello Daziario Ovest, close to the MEET digital culture center and Milan's 'museum mile.' Ilaria Bonacossa was named director in 2022 but later departed for Palazzo Ducale, with Maria Paola Borgarino taking over. In 2024, MNAD formed a partnership with MEET and joined Grande Brera in 2025. The museum, which is funded by €6 million in public funds and €3 million in sponsorship, is slated to open the Casello in January 2027, with full completion anticipated by 2028. It is currently not open to the public.
Key facts
- Construction has started on the Museo Nazionale dell'Arte Digitale (MNAD) in Milan.
- The museum was conceived in 2021 under the Draghi government and Culture Minister Dario Franceschini.
- MNAD will occupy the Albergo Diurno Venezia in Piazza Oberdan and the Casello Daziario Ovest in Porta Venezia.
- The Albergo Diurno Venezia features architecture by Piero Portaluppi and is protected; it was previously managed by FAI.
- First director Ilaria Bonacossa was appointed in 2022 but left to lead Palazzo Ducale in Genoa.
- Current director is architect and restorer Maria Paola Borgarino, formerly of Direzione Regionale Musei Lombardia.
- In 2024, MNAD signed an agreement with MEET; in 2025 it came under Grande Brera.
- Restoration funding includes €6 million public plus nearly €3 million mixed sponsorship for the Casello.
- Casello Daziario Ovest is expected to open in January 2027; full completion by 2028.
- The museum has never been open to the public; its website still says 'Museo attualmente chiuso al pubblico.'
Entities
Artists
- Piero Portaluppi
- Flavio Favelli
- Federico Bernardeschi
- Dario Lasagni
Institutions
- Museo Nazionale dell'Arte Digitale (MNAD)
- FAI - Fondo Ambiente Italiano
- MEET
- Grande Brera
- Palazzo Citterio
- PAC
- Villa Reale
- GAM
- Fondazione Luigi Rovati
- Museo di Storia Naturale
- Planetario di Milano
- Palazzo Ducale a Genova
- Direzione Regionale Musei Lombardia
- Comune di Milano
- Direzione Cultura del Comune di Milano
- Artribune
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- Porta Venezia
- Piazza Oberdan
- Albergo Diurno Venezia
- Casello Daziario Ovest
- Genoa