Museion

Museion, formally Museion – Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, is a contemporary art museum located in Bolzano (Italian: Bolzano; German: Bozen), in the autonomous region of Trentino-South Tyrol in northern Italy. The institution presents contemporary art through rotating exhibitions, installations, and related programs, with an emphasis on experimental media and interdisciplinary approaches. Its aim is to connect regional audiences with national and international artists and to foster critical dialogue around current art practices.

History and purpose: Museion originated as a public-private initiative in the late 20th century to broaden Bolzano’s cultural infrastructure and provide a dedicated venue for contemporary art in the region. Since its establishment, it has hosted numerous exhibitions and projects that involve living artists, curatorial experimentation, and collaboration with other cultural institutions.

Collections and programs: The museum’s program typically features temporary exhibitions that foreground contemporary production, often integrating media such as video, installation, performance, and digital works. In addition to exhibitions, Museion offers educational activities for schools and families, artist talks, film screenings, and publications. The institution collaborates with national and international partners to facilitate exchange, research, and artist commissions.

Building and setting: Museion occupies a modern cultural venue in Bolzano’s city center, designed to accommodate flexible spaces that can adapt to evolving installations and performances. The name Museion derives from the Greek Mouseion, the place associated with learning and the Muses; in Italian usage it has been adopted as the distinctive name for this cultural institution, echoing the traditional concept of a museum. See also lists of art museums in Italy.