iART Ustica – Multidisciplinary Arts Festival
Art, music, and nature on the island of Ustica
About iART Ustica
A multidisciplinary festival in the heart of the Tyrrhenian
iART Ustica is a multidisciplinary arts festival held on the island of Ustica, a small volcanic jewel in the Tyrrhenian Sea belonging to the Municipality of Ustica, in the province of Palermo, Sicily. The event weaves together live music, visual arts, photography, dance, and scientific outreach related to the sea, transforming the island's squares and historic spaces into a vast, open-air stage. The heart of the festivities is the charming Piazza Capitano Vito Longo, overlooking the Palazzo Maria Anna Notarbartolo di Sciara.
The project's identity
The festival was born from the Ustum Cultural Programme, a project funded by PNRR grants dedicated to the revitalization of historic villages. Artistic and general director Lucenzo Tambuzzo envisioned iART as an immersive experience capable of bridging art, territory, and community. The goal is to foster a dialogue between major names on the national music and art scene and the intimate, authentic atmosphere of an island that defines its identity through its relationship with the sea.
Between music, visual arts, and the sea
The program alternates between concerts, performances, site-specific installations created with natural and recycled materials, public photography and creative workshops, and deep dives into the marine environment. Ustica is home to Italy's first Marine Protected Area, and the festival is ideally linked to the protection and discovery of this extraordinary ecosystem. Evenings often conclude with DJ sets in the square, creating a festive atmosphere that brings together both residents and visitors.
An appointment for the island
With free admission to all shows, iART Ustica offers a chance to experience the island beyond the usual tourist circuits, discovering its alleys, panoramas, and culture through the language of contemporary art. The event helps to de-seasonalize the local cultural offering and strengthen the bond between the Ustica community and its landscape.
iART Ustica — edition 2026
iART Ustica 2026
The second edition of iART Ustica was held from June 5 to 7, 2026, on the island of Ustica, centered in Piazza Capitano Vito Longo. Three days of art and music with free admission brought the island to life on the eve of the 40th-anniversary celebrations for the Marine Protected Area.
On Friday, June 5, artist Fabio Ingrassia created an installation using bottles, sand, and natural recycled elements, while the new immersive multimedia museum at Palazzo Maria Anna Notarbartolo di Sciara was inaugurated; in the evening, concerts by Palermitan singer-songwriter Alessio Bondì and Antonio Dimartino took place. On Saturday, June 6, photographer Marco Fato led a photography and creative workshop, followed by a performance by Cico Messina and a concert by Roy Paci & Aretuska with special guest Pau, the voice of Negrita. DJ sets by Miss Pia provided the soundtrack for the evenings, and she also closed the festival on Sunday, June 7, in the square.
Programme iART Ustica 2026
2026 Program
Friday, June 5
- 6:00 PM – Installation by Fabio Ingrassia with natural and recycled materials
- 7:00 PM – Inauguration of the immersive multimedia museum (Palazzo Maria Anna Notarbartolo di Sciara)
- 9:00 PM – Concert by Alessio Bondì
- 10:00 PM – Concert by Antonio Dimartino
- DJ set by Miss Pia
Saturday, June 6
- 6:00 PM – Photography and creative workshop with Marco Fato
- 9:00 PM – Cico Messina
- Followed by – Roy Paci & Aretuska with special guest Pau (Negrita)
- DJ set by Miss Pia to close
Sunday, June 7
- 10:00 PM – DJ set by Miss Pia in the square
Highlights iART Ustica 2026
- Roy Paci & Aretuska with special guest Pau from Negrita
- Concert by Antonio Dimartino
- Inauguration of the immersive multimedia museum
- Free art workshops and installations
Prices iART Ustica 2026
Practical information — iART Ustica
Location
Events take place in Ustica (PA), primarily in Piazza Capitano Vito Longo, in front of the Palazzo Maria Anna Notarbartolo di Sciara.
How to get there
Ustica can be reached by sea via hydrofoils and ferries departing from the port of Palermo. It is recommended to check the schedules of the shipping companies and book your passage during peak travel periods.
Admission
Admission to all festival shows is free.
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Where does it take place — iART Ustica
Piazza Capitano Vito Longo
Piazza Capitano Vito Longo, 90051 Ustica