Sparti Prize

What is the Sparti Prize

The Sparti Prize is one of the most interesting contemporary art events in central Italy, an appointment that transforms Ascoli Piceno into a widespread laboratory of painting, sculpture, installation, and visual research every spring. Created to give visibility to artists and to intertwine the language of contemporary art with the city's historical heritage, the prize is promoted by the Frida Art Academy in collaboration with the Civic Museums of Ascoli Piceno and with the support of Impresa Sparti, from which it takes its name.

The 2026 Edition: "Where the City Ends"

The fifth edition, scheduled from May 23 to June 28, 2026, revolves around the theme "Where the City Ends". The exhibition, curated by Alex Urso, investigates the relationship between art and marginal territories: those places far from major metropolises that, far from being mere backdrops, have become authentic reservoirs of thought and practice for many artists who have chosen to leave the big cities.

The exhibition is divided into three sections. Being Beyond brings together artists working in Italian peripheral contexts; Being Here gives space to those working in the Marche region; Being Other, co-curated by Caterina Angelucci, features five young artists under 35 exploring the theme of identity and marginality. Added to these is the section dedicated to the winner of the previous edition.

Two Venues in the Historic Center

The heart of the prize is the Forte Malatesta, the evocative 16th-century fortress overlooking the Castellano stream, which hosts the main sections. The exhibition then continues at the Frida Museum, on Via delle Canterine, home to the section dedicated to emerging artists. The dialogue between today's art and the historic travertine architecture of Ascoli is one of the most recognizable features of the event, which also extends to satellite spaces in the Piceno and Marche territories with guided tours and public discussion forums.

The Prize for Emerging Artists

The conceptual core of the exhibition is the actual prize: a jury of critics, art historians, and curators selects the winning artist from the young talents under 35 on display. The award consists of the production of a solo exhibition in the following edition of the prize, thus creating a virtuous cycle that supports the growth of artists year after year.

Contemporary Art in Ascoli Piceno

With the Sparti Prize, Ascoli Piceno confirms its cultural vocation: one of the most elegant art cities in the Marche, famous for its travertine Piazza del Popolo, becomes a reference point for the Italian contemporary art scene for over a month, attracting collectors, critics, and enthusiasts from all over the peninsula.