Mare d’Arte Festival: Milano Marittima reopens as an open-air stage for contemporary art

Mare d’Arte Festival is back and, starting on 3 July, will turn Milano Marittima into a wide open-air cultural area. The 2026 edition mixes permanent installations, artist residencies and institutional partnerships to strengthen the relationship between contemporary art and the local landscape.

As a summer preview, from 25 April the MarePineta Resort will host the artist residency of Jacopo Di Cera, one of the festival’s featured artists. Di Cera’s presence anticipates exhibition elements and public engagement activities focused on the interaction between people, environment and landscape.

About Jacopo Di Cera

Born in Milan in 1981, Jacopo Di Cera works across photography, material experimentation and digital practices. Since 2017 he has developed the project Sospesi, an aerial study of Italy that uses zenithal perspectives and shadow to comment on contemporary social dynamics. His works have been shown in Europe, the United States and the Middle East, and he is among the Italian participants at the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026.

What the festival offers

• Public installations engaging with the coastal landscape and local architecture.
• Artist residencies like Di Cera’s, including openings and possible workshops for the public.
• Institutional partnerships and new collaborators aimed at enhancing Milano Marittima’s cultural profile.

The artistic direction continues under Gianluca Orazi, while the 2026 edition is co-signed by Nicolas Ballario, critic and curator. Supported by the Municipality of Cervia, the project seeks to position Milano Marittima as a cultural destination and to celebrate local historical references — this year marking the 80th anniversary of Giuseppe Palanti’s death.

Practical note: the festival starts on 3 July; Jacopo Di Cera’s residency at the MarePineta Resort begins on 25 April. Check the festival’s official channels for full program details, opening times and event registrations.