Cremona Contemporanea 2026 — 4th Edition: a City-wide Visual Arts

Cremona Contemporanea 2026 — 4th Edition

When: 23–31 May 2026 | Where: Cremona, Italy | Admission: free/varies

Between 23 and 31 May 2026, Cremona becomes a dispersed stage for contemporary art. The festival brings together installations, exhibitions, live performances, talks and participatory projects that create a dialogue between contemporary practices and the city's historical sites.

The fourth edition is organised with the support of the Municipality of Cremona, Regione Lombardia and the Chamber of Commerce of Cremona-Mantova-Pavia. Artistic director Rossella Farinotti is joined by curators Valeria Mancinelli, Gioele Melandri, Gianluca Ranzi and Saverio Verini.

Program highlights and venues

The festival unfolds across institutional venues, urban spaces and sites normally closed to the public, including Palazzo del Comune, the Bishop's Palace (Palazzo Vescovile), and the Politecnico di Milano - Cremona campus, alongside churches, a bunker and other reopened locations.

• Site-specific works: commissions created for historic and urban contexts;
• Installations and sculptures: experimental materials and industrial components;
• Performances and participatory formats: projects engaging visitors directly;
• Historical exhibition: a selection of Gio' Pomodoro’s works from the late 1950s–1960s.

Featured artists

The 2026 selection gathers artists across generations and languages, presenting diverse approaches to form, material and participation. Participating artists include:

• Davide Allieri
• Aubrit & Beillard
• Miriam Cahn
• Roberto de Pinto
• Linda Fregni Nagler
• Francesca Grilli
• Jelena Jureša
• Lina Lapelyte
• Emma Masut
• Jimmy Milani
• Valerio Nicolai
• Mattia Pajé
• Albert Pinya
• Gio' Pomodoro
• Giulia Poppi
• Sara Ravelli
• Martina Rota
• Marinella Senatore
• Lorenzo Scotto di Luzio
• Federico Tosi

Works range from newly commissioned pieces to historical works recontextualised within the city's architecture.

Secondary programs and participation

"Faville" projects expand the main route with talks, editorial initiatives, experimental installations and residency outcomes. The Progetti OFF section gathers exhibitions and events produced by local institutions, galleries and shops, creating a broader festival ecosystem.

Practical info: full programme and updates at www.cremonacontemporanea.eu