ART CITY Bologna
The widespread contemporary art program that accompanies Arte Fiera
About ART CITY Bologna
Bologna, capital of contemporary art
Every winter, on the occasion of Arte Fiera, the center of Bologna lights up with exhibitions, performances, and installations thanks to ART CITY Bologna, the official event program promoted by the Municipality of Bologna, capital of Emilia-Romagna, in collaboration with BolognaFiere. For a few days, the entire city becomes a stage for contemporary culture, with a calendar of hundreds of events spread across civic museums, private galleries, foundations, libraries, and historic buildings, many of which are open free to the public.
The Special Program
The heart of the festival is the Special Program, the curatorial project that changes theme each year and dialogues with the identity and heritage of the city. Site-specific works, commissioned from Italian and international artists, activate symbolic places in Bologna, transforming them into exhibition spaces: from the historic city gates to the courtyards of the University of Bologna, the oldest university in the Western world. The artistic direction has been entrusted for years to Lorenzo Balbi, director of MAMbo - Museum of Modern Art of Bologna.
The ART CITY White Night
The most anticipated event is the ART CITY White Night, the all-night art event: on a dedicated evening, museums, galleries, and exhibition spaces remain open until late at night, often until midnight, with a public influx that invades the streets and squares of the center. It is the moment when the festival reaches its maximum intensity, with openings, performances, and light installations.
An event for the city
Born in 2013, ART CITY Bologna has become one of the flagship events of the Italian cultural calendar dedicated to contemporary art. Its strength lies in its widespread and free nature: not a single venue, but an entire city that showcases itself, involving public institutions, foundations, and the entire community of Bolognese galleries. For those visiting the Province of Bologna during Arte Fiera, it is an opportunity to experience the Emilian capital in one of its most vibrant weeks.
How it works
- Widespread program in dozens of venues in the historic center
- Curatorial Special Program with site-specific works
- ART CITY White Night, the all-night art event
- Mostly free admission (some performances require booking)
- Held concurrently with Arte Fiera
ART CITY Bologna — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of ART CITY Bologna, the fourteenth, took place from February 5 to 8 on the occasion of Arte Fiera, with artistic direction by Lorenzo Balbi and the Special Program curated by Caterina Molteni. The theme, The Body of Language, inspired by a text by Giorgio Agamben, explored knowledge as a physical and sensory experience, in dialogue with the heritage of the University of Bologna. The widespread program animated museums, galleries, and palaces in the historic center, with the highlight being the White Night on Saturday, February 7.
Programme ART CITY Bologna 2026
Special Program — "The Body of Language"
Curated by Caterina Molteni under the artistic direction of Lorenzo Balbi, the Special Program paid homage to the cultural heritage of the University of Bologna, with works hosted in historic university venues:
- Aula Alessandro Ghigi of the former Institute of Zoology
- Atrium of the former Faculty of Engineering
- Sala della Boschereccia of Palazzo Hercolani
- Anatomical Theatre of the Municipal Library of the Archiginnasio
- Fondazione Federico Zeri
- Didactic Laboratory of the Navile District
- Aula Magna of the University Library of Bologna
Artists
The works for the 2026 edition were by giulia deval, Mike Kelley, Ana Mendieta, Alexandra Pirici, Augustas Serapinas, Jenna Sutela, and Nora Turato.
ART CITY White Night — Saturday, February 7
The all-night art event kept numerous exhibition spaces open until late, with Palazzo Pepoli and eXtraBO open until midnight.
Highlights ART CITY Bologna 2026
- Special Program "The Body of Language" dedicated to the heritage of the University of Bologna
- Works by international artists including Mike Kelley, Ana Mendieta, and Nora Turato
- ART CITY White Night on Saturday, February 7, with spaces open until midnight
- Widespread program held concurrently with Arte Fiera
Prices ART CITY Bologna 2026
Practical information — ART CITY Bologna
How to get there
Bologna is one of Italy's main railway hubs: Bologna Centrale station is connected by high-speed trains to Milan, Florence, Rome, and Venice. ART CITY venues are mostly located in the historic center, reachable on foot from the station or by TPER urban buses. By car, you can reach it via the A1, A13, and A14 motorways; it is advisable to use park-and-ride facilities given the city center's Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL).
Tickets and times
Most exhibitions and events are free admission; some performances and tours require booking. During the ART CITY White Night, numerous spaces remain open until late in the evening. Full program, venues, and updated times on the official website artcity.bologna.it.
Contacts
Email: [email protected]
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Where does it take place — ART CITY Bologna
Sedi varie del centro storico