Gibellina 2026 – Bring Me the Future (Italian Capital of Contemporary Art)

Throughout 2026, Gibellina serves as the first Italian Capital of Contemporary Art with the «Bring Me the Future» project, structured into five pillars: exhibitions, residencies, performing arts, education and participation, and symposia and conferences. The widespread calendar includes over 22 exhibitions, 16 artist residencies, and 10 participatory projects, distributed between the MAC, the Orestiadi Foundation, the Consagra Theatre, and Burri's Grande Cretto.

The year opened on January 15 and 16 with the official inauguration and continues until December with a succession of international exhibitions, performances, and meetings, culminating in the 45th edition of the Orestiadi Festival in the summer.

Thursday, January 15, 2026 — Inauguration

• Morning — Official ceremony at the Town Hall's Agorà Hall, with Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli and the Philharmonic Orchestra of the South (FIDES), the city's resident orchestra for 2026.
• Afternoon — Opening of exhibitions: «Colloqui: Carla Accardi, Letizia Battaglia, Renata Boero, Isabella Ducrot, Nanda Vigo» at the Orestiadi Foundation; «Dal mare. Dialoghi con la città frontale», curated by Andrea Cusumano, featuring video installations by MASBEDO and Adrian Paci at the Consagra Theatre.
• 9:30 PM — Concert by «La Banda del Sud» at the Agorà Hall (free admission), directed by Gigi Di Luca and Mario Crispi, featuring musicians from Southern Italy, Spain, and Palestine.

Friday, January 16, 2026

• Opening of exhibitions related to the Generazione Sicilia project: the installation «Austerlitz» by Daniele Franzella at the former Church of Gesù e Maria; the collective exhibition dedicated to the Elenk'Art Collection at the MAC «Ludovico Corrao» Museum of Contemporary Art.
• 9:00 PM — Free concert by Max Gazzè & Calabria Orchestra with the Musicae Loci project in Piazza XV Gennaio 1968.
• Followed by — «City of Thebes» fireworks display, designed in dialogue with the urban context.

Throughout 2026

• Widespread program of exhibitions, artist residencies, and site-specific installations between the MAC, the Orestiadi Foundation, and Burri's Grande Cretto.
• Performing arts, theatre, and dance, leading up to the 45th edition of the Orestiadi Festival in the summer.
• Educational projects, participation, symposia, and conferences.

The complete and updated calendar is published on the official website gibellina2026.it.

Getting there

Gibellina is located in the Belìce Valley, in the province of Trapani. By car, take the A29 Palermo–Mazara del Vallo motorway, exit at Salemi, then follow the provincial road. The nearest airport is Palermo «Falcone-Borsellino» (approx. 90 km), followed by Trapani-Birgi.

Tickets

Many inaugural events and concerts in the square are free to attend. For exhibitions and museum visits at the MAC and the Orestiadi Foundation, please check opening hours and ticket prices on official channels.

When

The program runs throughout 2026, from January to December. It is recommended to check the updated calendar before visiting, as exhibitions and residencies have varying dates.