Italy Launches Bel Paese Program to Promote Contemporary Art Abroad
The Directorate General for Contemporary Creativity of the Italian Ministry of Culture has collaborated with the Comitato Fondazioni Arte Contemporanea to introduce Bel Paese. Promoting Italian Art Around the World is a three-year initiative aimed at globalizing Italian contemporary art. This program will feature six gatherings—two each year—showcasing 10 Italian artists alongside five international curators or museum directors. The inaugural event took place in Naples from July 10 to 12, 2023, at Fondazione Morra Greco, with a subsequent meeting in Turin on September 20. Artists such as Francesco Arena and Giulia Piscitelli are involved, while curators include Michelle Cotton and Milan Ther. Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano revealed plans for an annual "Italian capital of contemporary art," supported by the Fund for the Enhancement of Italian Culture and Language Abroad for 2022–2024.
Key facts
- Bel Paese is a three-year program promoting Italian contemporary art internationally.
- It involves six meetings (two per year) with 10 Italian artists and five international curators each.
- First meeting in Naples (July 10–12, 2023) at Fondazione Morra Greco; second in Turin (September 20).
- Artists: Francesco Arena, Stefano Arienti, Betty Bee, Jacopo Benassi, Giulia Crispiani, Caterina De Nicola, Adji Dieye, Raffaella Naldi Rossano, Lina Pallotta, Giulia Piscitelli.
- Curators: Michelle Cotton (Mudam), Joao Laia (Kiasma), Claudia Segura (MACBA), Fabian Schöneich (CCA Berlin), Milan Ther (Kunstverein Hamburg).
- Funded by the Fund for the Enhancement of Italian Culture and Language Abroad (2022–2024).
- Culture Minister Sangiuliano announced a future 'Italian capital of contemporary art' for medium-small cities.
- The program is a public-private partnership between MiC and Comitato Fondazioni Arte Contemporanea.
Entities
Artists
- Francesco Arena
- Stefano Arienti
- Betty Bee
- Jacopo Benassi
- Giulia Crispiani
- Caterina De Nicola
- Adji Dieye
- Raffaella Naldi Rossano
- Lina Pallotta
- Giulia Piscitelli
- Diego Marcon
- Anna Mattirolo
- Stefano Collicelli Cagol
Institutions
- Ministero della Cultura (MiC)
- Direzione Generale Creatività Contemporanea
- Comitato Fondazioni Arte Contemporanea
- Fondazione Morra Greco
- Mudam Luxembourg
- Kiasma Helsinki
- MACBA Barcelona
- CCA Berlin
- Kunstverein Hamburg
- Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale
- Direzione Generale per la Diplomazia pubblica e culturale
- Farnesina Collection
- Artribune
Locations
- Italy
- Naples
- Turin
- Luxembourg
- Helsinki
- Finland
- Barcelona
- Spain
- Berlin
- Germany
- Hamburg
- Chile
- United States
- Asia
- Israel