Artopia Street Art Festival
The ephemeral contemporary art festival in the historic center of Fossombrone
About Artopia
A Utopia of Art in the Alleys of Fossombrone
The name Artopia is born from the union of 'art' and 'utopia': the idea of a temporary poetic space where contemporary art dialogues with the urban fabric without overpowering it. For a weekend, the historic center of Fossombrone, a village in the Province of Pesaro and Urbino overlooking the Metauro river, transforms into a large open-air museum, where streets, alleys, empty spaces, minor churches, and small squares become natural backdrops for ephemeral works designed to respect the city space.
A Diffused Museum in the Heart of the City
The festival is conceived as an immersive journey into contemporary art, spread throughout the streets of the historic center. Artists and performers intervene with non-invasive works that enhance the most hidden and sometimes neglected corners of the village, triggering new social and relational dynamics. The stated goal is to bring life and attention back to forgotten places, returning them to the community through the power of art.
Art, Music, and Participation
Artopia's program is not limited to visual works: throughout the event, there are performances, concerts, exhibitions, and workshops, in a schedule designed to engage art enthusiasts, families, and the curious alike. The guided tours, marked by paper and digital maps distributed at the welcome point, also include an itinerary accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Artistic Direction and Organizers
The artistic direction is entrusted to Simone Massi, an internationally renowned director and illustrator, originally from the area. The festival is promoted by the association Fossombrone Contemporanea in collaboration with the Municipality of Fossombrone and the Marche Region, with the involvement of the Academy of Fine Arts of Urbino and numerous local associations and cultural entities.
Why It's Worth It
- An original ephemeral street art format, rare in the Marche region's villages.
- An opportunity to discover the hidden places of Fossombrone's historic center.
- Free admission and accessible routes for everyone.
- Authoritative artistic direction and participation of artists from outside the region.
Artopia — edition 2026
Artopia 2026 — The Second Edition
After the first edition in 2025, Fossombrone Contemporanea confirms the return of Artopia Street Art Festival to the historic center of Fossombrone. The 2026 edition is scheduled for the weekend of September 11-13 and reintroduces the open-air diffused museum concept, with ephemeral works, thematic routes, and a packed schedule of side events.
For the 2026 edition, the organizers have published an open call for artists, including regulations and an application form, confirming the project's growth. The artistic direction remains entrusted to Simone Massi.
The detailed program with selected artists, locations, performances, and concerts will be announced in the months leading up to the event. This page will be updated as soon as the complete calendar is made public.
Programme Artopia 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition (selected artists, locations, routes, performances, concerts, and workshops) will be announced by the organizers in the months preceding the event. For the 2026 edition, an open call with regulations and an application form for artists has been published.
Based on the structure consolidated in the first edition, the festival unfolds along several visiting routes in the historic center, with indoor and outdoor locations, and a schedule of performances, concerts, exhibitions, and workshops spread over the three days.
Highlights Artopia 2026
- Second edition of Fossombrone's ephemeral contemporary art festival.
- Artistic direction by Simone Massi.
- Open-air diffused museum in the historic center, with accessible routes.
- Open call for artists published for the 2026 edition.
Prices Artopia 2026
Practical information — Artopia
How to Get Here
Fossombrone is located along the SS 73 Bis Flaminia, in the hinterland of the Province of Pesaro and Urbino. By car, it is reachable from the Fano exit of the A14 motorway, continuing inland. The nearest train station is Fano, connected to the city by bus.
Welcome Point
The welcome point and map distribution (paper and digital) are at Corso Garibaldi 13. Information is also available at the Punto IAT of Fossombrone, Piazza Dante 23, tel. +39 0721 723263.
Admission
Admission to the festival is free. Outdoor installations are visible at all hours, while indoor ones follow set times during the event days.
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Where does it take place — Artopia
Centro storico di Fossombrone
Corso Garibaldi 13, 61034 Fossombrone