Key points

• Two new cultural venues in Venice: SMAC (San Marco) and Nicoletta Fiorucci Foundation (Dorsoduro)

• International temporary exhibitions, without permanent collection

• Renovation respectful of historical heritage (16th and 18th century structures)

• Immersive technology: augmented reality, digital archives

• Support for local and Mediterranean artists, international collaborations

Venice is investing in its cultural future by launching two major new art centers: the San Marco Art Centre and the Nicoletta Fiorucci Foundation. These ambitious projects, developed in iconic neighborhoods—San Marco and Dorsoduro—aim to revitalize the city by combining historical heritage and contemporary creation.

The challenge is daunting: to sustainably welcome millions of visitors while preserving the city's fragile soul. By transforming underutilized historic buildings into modern art spaces, Venice is creating new magnets, drawing crowds away from overcrowded areas and revitalizing local life.

The two new sites are part of an urban development effort that adheres to strict UNESCO guidelines. The architects favor traditional materials, reversible techniques, and discreet integration to protect the integrity of the old buildings. Visitors will discover immersive experiences, including augmented reality tours, thus reducing pressure on the fragile structures.

San Marco Art Centre: When Heritage Meets Innovation

The San Marco Art Centre, renovated by David Chipperfield, transforms a 16th-century building into a contemporary exhibition space. The so-called "archaeological" approach reveals the historical layers of the site while introducing distinct modern elements, such as suspended glass walkways and invisible carbon fiber reinforcements.

The center will feature installations and works that interact with the building's history, highlighting both Renaissance architectural fragments and contemporary creations. The SMAC will be a place where visitors can enjoy an immersive cultural experience , rooted in Venetian heritage while also focusing on 21st-century artistic creation.

Nicoletta Fiorucci Foundation: Contemporary Creation Laboratory

In the Dorsoduro district, the Nicoletta Fiorucci Foundation is establishing a new model for artistic engagement. The 18th-century palace houses vast modular installations, Mediterranean artist residencies, and a unique digital archiving project to preserve experimental works.

Through international partnerships with institutions such as Tate Modern and Documenta, the foundation aims to encourage unprecedented artistic dialogues and support innovation in the heart of Venice.

Reinventing Venetian Artistic Heritage

With these two new centers, Venice affirms its commitment to combining tradition and avant-garde. By investing in year-round cultural infrastructure, the city seeks to promote more balanced tourism, stimulating local economies while reducing the saturation of historic sites.

Thanks to increased funding from Italy's National Recovery Plan, the lagoon city is banking on culture to ensure its future is modern, without betraying its past.

FAQ

What are the two new centers in Venice?
The San Marco Art Center (SMAC) and the Nicoletta Fiorucci Foundation.

What will we find there?
Temporary exhibitions of contemporary art, architecture, fashion, cinema and new technologies.

How are they integrated into Venetian heritage?
Each building has been renovated with respect for the historic architecture, with discreet and reversible modern additions.

What types of initiatives will the Fiorucci Foundation propose?
Residencies for young Mediterranean artists, experimental exhibitions and a digital archive program.

What is the purpose of these projects for Venice?
Create a sustainable cultural corridor, revitalize historic neighborhoods and reduce tourist pressure on iconic sites.