Archivifuturi
The festival of contemporary archives between Gallarate, Alto Milanese and the Varese lakes
About Archivifuturi
The archives of the contemporary open to the public
Archivifuturi is the festival of contemporary archives that, for three weekends in June, transforms Gallarate and a large part of the territory into a widespread itinerary to discover artist studios, foundations, house-museums, and normally inaccessible archives. The event extends from Alto Milanese to the province of Varese, to the lakes and the Swiss border, connecting over twenty cultural partners.
The MA*GA, heart of the festival
The MA*GA Museum in Gallarate is the focal point of the event: the program starts here, with performances, exhibition openings, and participatory projects. The edition opens with Arte Viva. Performative and participatory processes and an exhibition dedicated to Brunetta's fashion illustrations for Missoni, in a dialogue between art, fashion, and archives that is the hallmark of the festival.
A widespread itinerary across the territory
In addition to the MA*GA, the festival involves museums and villas in the area, including the Museum of Plastic Art, the Butti Museum, and Villa K2 designed by Carlo Mollino. The program alternates extraordinary openings, visits to artists' studios and homes, temporary exhibitions, concerts, and educational activities, with a tribute to central figures of 20th-century art such as Lucio Fontana.
Art, memory, and future
The title itself, Archivifuturi, tells the mission of the review: not to look at archives as repositories of the past, but as living material, capable of generating new perspectives on the present and future of art. For Gallarate and the entire province of Varese, it is a rare opportunity to enter unusual places and discover art stories preserved in the territory.
Archivifuturi — edition 2026
The 5th edition of Archivifuturi (June 5–21, 2026) is spread over three weekends and connects over twenty partners. The festival opens at the MA*GA Museum in Gallarate with the performance Arte Viva. Performative and participatory processes and the opening of the exhibition dedicated to Brunetta's illustrations for Missoni. On the following weekends, the program extends to museums and villas in the area, with extraordinary openings, visits to artist studios, exhibitions, and musical events.
Programme Archivifuturi 2026
First weekend (June 5–7)
- Friday, June 5, 2:30 PM — opening at the MA*GA Museum in Gallarate with the performance Arte Viva. Performative and participatory processes and inauguration of the exhibition on Brunetta for Missoni's illustrations
- Saturday, June 6 — visits to artist studios and extraordinary openings
- Sunday, June 7 — visits to museums and final screening dedicated to Lucio Fontana
Second weekend (June 11–14)
- Thursday, June 11 — exhibition opening at the Museum of Plastic Art
- Saturday, June 13 — visits to villas and museums in the area
- Sunday, June 14 — new exhibition at the Butti Museum
Third weekend (June 18–21)
- Access to archives, exhibitions, and studio visits
- Saturday, June 20 — extraordinary access to Villa K2 designed by Carlo Mollino
- Sunday, June 21 — festival closing
Full program and details on museomaga.it and archividelcontemporaneo.it.
Highlights Archivifuturi 2026
Prices Archivifuturi 2026
Practical information — Archivifuturi
Where
Main venue: MA*GA Museum, via E. De Magri 1, Gallarate (VA). The festival is spread across numerous venues in Alto Milanese, the province of Varese, the lake area, and the Swiss border.
When
Three weekends in June. The opening takes place at the MA*GA.
Information
Full program on museomaga.it and archividelcontemporaneo.it. Some visits and extraordinary openings may require booking.
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Where does it take place — Archivifuturi
Museo MA*GA
Via E. De Magri 1, 21013 Gallarate