Micaela Paparella’s Plan to Revitalize Pinacoteca di Bari

Micaela Paparella, appointed in March 2025 as councillor for the Metropolitan City of Bari, is spearheading a revival of the Pinacoteca 'Corrado Giaquinto.' Founded in 1928 and housed since 1936 in Palazzo della Provincia, the museum holds collections spanning the 11th to 20th centuries, with works by Vivarini, Giordano, Veronese, Tintoretto, De Nittis, Boldini, and Pino Pascali. It hosted the landmark 1984 exhibition 'Viaggio in Italia.' Paparella aims to transform the museum into a vibrant cultural hub, emphasizing historical collections, contemporary art, and community engagement. Key initiatives include the exhibition 'Il dono dell’arte. Donazioni, acquisizioni, restauri 2004-2025' curated by Nicola Zito, featuring works from storage; a new acquisition of Jasmine Pignatelli’s trittico 'Directionless' and video 'Donne Meridiane'; a site-specific work 'Le invisibili. Esistenze radicali' by Pamela Diamante, curated by Roberto Lacarbonara, won the PAC 2025 prize; and partnership with BIG Festival featuring Berna Reale. Infrastructure upgrades include new lighting, HVAC, and reopening of the terrace and Clock Tower. The museum’s iconic work '9 mq di pozzanghere' by Pino Pascali, acquired in 1981 by director Pina Belli d’Elia, recently gained international attention at Fondazione Prada and Expo Osaka 2025. An interactive installation 'Attraverso l’opera' engages children with Pascali’s piece.