Lorenzo Balbi appointed director of the Museums of Verona

Lorenzo Balbi has been appointed director of the Museums of Verona. The appointment launches a relaunch phase aimed at strengthening museums as hubs of cultural production, civic participation and international collaboration.

The role will begin in September. Balbi joins from the Museo d’Arte Moderna di Bologna (MAMbo) and brings over fifteen years of experience in major Italian cultural institutions, spanning managerial, curatorial and academic roles.

Immediate priorities

• Integrate and coordinate activities across museum sites to deliver a cohesive, territorially distributed cultural offer.
• Increase engagement from local audiences and tourists, ensuring balanced visitor flows between institutions.
• Strengthen international relations by promoting exchanges, joint exhibitions and high-level research projects.
• Develop fundraising and partnerships with foundations, businesses and private stakeholders to support initiatives.
• Advance governance reform to grant civic museums greater managerial autonomy, with the municipality focusing on planning and commissioning.

Professional background

Born in 1982 in Rivoli (Turin), Balbi is an art critic, curator and university lecturer. Since 2017 he directed MAMbo and coordinated complex museum areas in Bologna. He is president of AMACI and has led cultural events such as ART CITY Bologna. His projects often reimagine the museum as a production space and creative community hub.

His CV also includes the opening, scheduled for June 2026, of a major Giorgio Morandi retrospective abroad—evidence of his experience managing large international exhibitions.

What this means for the Museums of Verona

The new leadership aims to enhance each institution’s identity while building an integrated vision that speaks to contemporary urban life and diverse audiences. Key pillars will be internal collaboration, public outreach, and sustainable cultural and economic strategies.

Author: Società Athesis S.p.A.