Modern Art Museum, Bologna

The Modern Art Museum (Museo d'Arte Moderna) of Bologna is one of the most important institutions of this kind in Italy. This is a real cultural center, and it studies the history of Italian art from the post-war years up to our days. The museum follows the most innovative and practical experimental paths in its research, discovering new landmarks of art.

History of the museum

The museum is located in the heart of the cultural area called “Factory of the Arts” (Manifattura delle Arti), in the building of a former bakery. Previously, this area was the center of the city’s commercial and industrial life. In 1915, the Mayor of Bologna, Francesco Zanardi, ordered to construct a bakery that would be able to provide bread to the whole city. In 1928–1929, it was expanded. In 1958 a new, more modern and technological plant for the production of bread was built. The old was closed since it was useless. And only in the late 20th century, the place received structural modifications. Then in 1995 Lorenzo Sassoli de Bianchi was put in charge of the Bologna Modern Art Gallery. Once the collections significantly grew in size, a new place was needed to house all of the pieces. The choice fell on the former bakery. It underwent a massive reconstruction in order to satisfy the museum’s needs.

After the opening on May 5, 2007, the museum that was based on the art gallery became the eighth most visited municipal museum in Italy, and later in 2009 – the most visited museum of Bologna. In November 2012 the Morandi Museum became a part of this building. And in 2016, there was a retrospective exhibition dedicated to David Bowie, which led to a real boom of visitors.

Museum collections

The permanent exhibition was opened in March 2008. The exhibition tour is currently divided into 9 thematic areas which reflect some of the most innovative aspects of art from the second half of the 20th century to the present day.

• Art and ideology. This part shows the civil, political and social life through the Italian art of the 1960s. Here the visitor sees a bright portrayal of Bologna as a political and intellectual center which is also evident in many works of the gallery. Among the paintings, there are the works of Renato Guttuso and Pier Paolo Pasolini.
• 1968 – new perspectives. Here visitors can enjoy artworks that formed the first core of the Modern Art Gallery. Paintings by Gianni Colombo, Enrico Castellani, Bridget Riley, and several other famous artists were bought at the Venice Biennale.
• 1968 – Arte Povera. This part offers art pieces made by the most famous followers of this movement. Overcoming the limitations of the space and time and the completed form of work in favor of greater focus on processes, on the internal value of materials, on nature and sensuality. Among them, there are the works of Giulio Paolini, Mario Merz, Giuseppe Penone, Giovanni Anselmo, Yannis Kounellis.
• Form 1. Here are the works of Italian artists who signed the so-called " formalist manifesto" in 1947. The most famous people are Ugo Attardi and Giulio Turcato.
• Art and action. Here are the works that are closely interwoven with various historical events of the city.
• Unofficial. This collection is devoted to different movements of abstract art which appeared in Italy after the World War II.
• The last naturalism. This is an exhibition of works of "the last naturalists" created artists who skillfully conveyed the feelings and emotions they experienced in life with a brush. It was also organized by one of the first gallery managers – Francesco Arcangeli.
• Modern art. Works of artists of the early 21st century.
• New pieces. The most recent exhibits bought by the museum.

The museum regularly holds temporary exhibitions and educational events. It also owns a library, a conference room, a bookshop, a bar, and a restaurant.

How to get

The museum is located in the historic center of Bologna, on Via Don Giovanni Minzoni, 14. The gigantic city gate Porta Galliera and the Medieval Museum can be found nearby. The closest bus stop is Mambo (buses № 32, 33, 35, 556, 651, 706, 826).

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:30, from 10:00 to 22:00 on Thursday. Closed on Monday. Contact number for inquiries: (+39) 051 6496611.

Admission: a full ticket costs 6 euros, reduced one (for visitors aged 18–25 and over 65, groups with over 10 people) – 4 euros. People under 18 are free of charge. The entry is also free on the first Sunday of the month. The information about admission and opening hours may be changed.