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 town 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 urban space.
A widespread museum in the heart of the city
The festival is conceived as an immersive journey into contemporary art, distributed 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 involve art enthusiasts, families, and the curious alike. The visiting routes, 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 Region of Marche, with the involvement of the Academy of Fine Arts of Urbino and numerous local associative and cultural realities.
Why it's worth it
- An original format of ephemeral street art, 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.
- An author-driven artistic direction and the participation of artists from outside the region as well.
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 widespread museum concept, with ephemeral works, thematic routes, and a packed schedule of collateral 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 preceding 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 leading up to 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 within the historic center, with indoor and outdoor installations, and a schedule of performances, concerts, exhibitions, and workshops spread across the three days.
Highlights Artopia 2026
- Second edition of the ephemeral contemporary art festival in Fossombrone.
- Artistic direction by Simone Massi.
- Open-air widespread 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 there
Fossombrone is located along the Strada Statale 73 Bis Flaminia, in the hinterland of the Province of Pesaro and Urbino. By car, it can be reached 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 distribution of maps (paper and digital) are at Corso Garibaldi 13. Information is also available at the IAT Point of Fossombrone, Piazza Dante 23, tel. +39 0721 723263.
Admission
Admission to the festival is free. Outdoor installations are visible at all times, while indoor ones follow set hours during the event days.
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Where does it take place — Artopia
Centro storico di Fossombrone
Corso Garibaldi 13, 61034 Fossombrone