CULTURE + BUSINESS Award: 22 projects shortlisted for the 13th edition

CULTURE + BUSINESS Award: 22 projects shortlisted for the 13th edition

Twenty-two projects have been selected for the Short List of the 13th edition of the CULTURE + BUSINESS Award, recognizing exemplary partnerships between the business sector and cultural institutions across Italy. Entries come from 15 regions, underlining the initiative's broad territorial reach.

Key trends emerging from the selection include:

• Inclusion and accessibility: many collaborations focus on cultural engagement for vulnerable audiences.
• Museums of enterprise: increasingly important in telling corporate heritage and offering interactive experiences.
• Contemporary arts: visual arts, photography and performing arts are frequently co‑designed with companies and institutions.
• Public‑private networks: multi-actor partnerships enable projects on a territorial scale.
• Digital innovation: opportunities remain to expand use of AI and digital tools in cultural projects.

The Short List covers exhibitions, artist residencies, festivals, contemporary art parks and new museums of enterprise. Six initiatives compete for the new "Wellness in Arts" special mention, which rewards cultural projects that generate health and wellbeing for both general and fragile audiences.

Entries will be assessed by a 31-member Jury of Excellence via the idea360 platform. The awards ceremony is scheduled for 2 July 2026 at the Sala Teatro of the MEET Digital Culture Center in Milan, where category prizes and training awards—offered by universities and foundations—will be presented.

Promoted by the CULTURE + BUSINESS Committee (established by Federculture and The Round Table), the Award highlights the strategic value of culture-business collaboration for territorial competitiveness, heritage enhancement and citizens' quality of life.