Italian Council 2026: €2.7M to Promote Italian Art Abroad
The Italian Council 2026 call for proposals is now online, allocating €2.7 million to support Italian contemporary art internationally. The program, managed by the Direzione Generale Creatività Contemporanea of the Ministero della Cultura, is divided into three areas: international commissioning of new works, promotion of Italian artists/curators/critics abroad, and talent development through research and residency grants. Applications open February 20, 2026, and close March 31, 2026, at 3:00 PM Italian time. Projects must be carried out between July 1, 2026, and August 31, 2028 (Ambiti 1 and 2) or July 1, 2026, and October 31, 2027 (Ambito 3). Eligible applicants include non-profit entities (Ambiti 1 and 2) and individual professionals (Ambito 3). The program will celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2027.
Key facts
- Italian Council 2026 call is online with €2.7 million in funding.
- Managed by Direzione Generale Creatività Contemporanea del Ministero della Cultura.
- Three intervention areas: international commissioning, promotion, talent development.
- Applications via Portale Bandi from February 20 to March 31, 2026.
- Projects run from July 1, 2026, to August 31, 2028 (Ambiti 1 and 2) or October 31, 2027 (Ambito 3).
- Ambito 3 offers research/residency grants of €15,000.
- Eligible: non-profit entities (Ambiti 1 and 2) and individual professionals (Ambito 3).
- Program will mark ten years in 2027.
Entities
Institutions
- Direzione Generale Creatività Contemporanea
- Ministero della Cultura
- Italian Council
- PAC – Piano per l’Arte Contemporanea
- Strategia Fotografia
Locations
- Italy