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Officina Creativa Opens in Florence's Oltrarno District

cultural-heritage · 2026-05-05

Officina Creativa, a new hub for craftsmanship and creative industries curated by ARTEX – Centro per l'Artigianato Artistico della Toscana, has opened in the Vecchio Conventino in Florence's Oltrarno district, near the Brancacci Chapel. The 2,000-square-meter former 19th-century monastery now hosts 15 active workshops with 9 more to open, covering sectors from woodworking to engraving. It also includes a guesthouse for foreign master artisans, two conference and screening rooms, and aims to promote start-ups, organize events, and provide ongoing training with a focus on contemporary arts. Mayor Dario Nardella expressed satisfaction, stating the opening inaugurates a new season for the arts in Florence, particularly for the so-called minor arts that have long expressed unique manual skills and creative talents in the city. The initiative seeks to safeguard, recover, and modernize this heritage.

Key facts

  • Officina Creativa is curated by ARTEX – Centro per l'Artigianato Artistico della Toscana.
  • Located in the Vecchio Conventino in Florence's Oltrarno district, near the Brancacci Chapel.
  • The space is a former 19th-century monastery of over 2,000 square meters.
  • Currently has 15 active workshops, with 9 more to open soon.
  • Workshop sectors include woodworking and engraving.
  • Includes a guesthouse for foreign master artisans, two conference and screening rooms.
  • Aims to promote start-ups, organize events, and provide permanent training.
  • Mayor Dario Nardella inaugurated the space, calling it a new season for the arts in Florence.

Entities

Institutions

  • ARTEX – Centro per l'Artigianato Artistico della Toscana
  • Vecchio Conventino
  • Cappella Brancacci
  • Comune di Firenze

Locations

  • Firenze
  • Italy
  • Oltrarno
  • San Frediano
  • Via Giano della Bella 20
  • Florence

Sources