Padua is one of the four finalists for the title of Italian Capital of Contemporary Art 2028

Padua is one of the four cities shortlisted for the title of Italian Capital of Contemporary Art 2028. The official announcement was made this morning by the Ministry of Culture, which has shortlisted Padua alongside Capri, Civita di Bagnoregio and Pozzuoli.

The project that has taken Padua to the final four is “Ancora imparo. Esercizi di dissidenza’, under the artistic direction of Marta Papini and Maurizio Cattelan, with Myriam Ben Salah, supported by a scientific committee comprising Cecilia Alemani, Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Daniela Mapelli and Renzo Piano.
Padua’s application, formally submitted by the City Council in accordance with the ministerial call for proposals, stems from a broad participatory process involving institutions, organisations, communities, citizens, professionals and numerous local bodies. It is a collaborative project that recognises contemporary art as a tool for knowledge, dialogue and building the future.

The project is organised by Padua City Council, under the patronage of the Veneto Region, and benefits from the strategic collaboration of the University of Padua, the Diocese of Padua and the three private foundations operating in the city – the Alberto Peruzzo Foundation, the Chiara and Francesco Carraro Foundation and the Bano Foundation – as well as the involvement of numerous third-sector organisations, associations and co-operatives. Organisations from Padua’s economic, manufacturing and tourism sectors also play a particularly significant role.
In the coming weeks, a delegation from Padua will be invited to a hearing at the Ministry to present the project in detail. Councillor Andrea Colasio will attend, along with representatives from the working group. The Ministry of Culture will subsequently announce the city awarded the title.

Mayor Sergio Giordani comments: “I am delighted that the Ministry has selected our city as one of the finalists for the title of Italian Capital of Contemporary Art 2028. This is an initial recognition of the quality of the project we have submitted. The application was formally submitted by the City Council, as required by the Ministry’s call for proposals, but in reality it is the collective result of work carried out in collaboration with the University and the cultural, social and economic organisations in the area”.
Councillor Andrea Colasio echoes this, emphasising: “This is a source of great pride for the city and for the project we have put forward: our ability to bring together leading figures with the region’s most significant organisations was certainly a key strength, as was the teamwork between the public and private sectors. We look forward to the hearing with confidence and, in the meantime, we continue to work towards securing this great opportunity for our city.”