Francesco Urbano Ragazzi wins first Italian Fellowship for Curatorial Research at American Academy in Rome

Francesco Urbano Ragazzi, a curatorial duo, has been granted the inaugural Italian Fellowship for Curatorial Research by the American Academy in Rome and the Direzione Generale Creatività Contemporanea of the Italian Ministry of Culture. This fellowship includes a residency at the Academy until May 23, 2025, culminating in presentations in Rome and New York during autumn 2025. Their project, titled "Altérité Italienne," is inspired by Carla Lonzi's 1981 essay critiquing Germano Celant's exhibition framework. The duo plans to explore Lonzi's philosophy and her archive in Rome, collaborating with various Italian artists, including Monia Ben Hamouda and Beatrice Gibson. Chosen from 38 candidates by a jury featuring Ilaria Puri Purini, Matteo Piccioni, and Ilaria Gianni, the fellowship seeks to enhance the international presence of Italian contemporary art while fostering intercultural dialogue amidst rising nationalism.