Born in 2019 from Michele Cristella's desire to promote a dialogue between contemporary art and the territory of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza, DucatoPrize focuses on artists, both national and international, capable of eliciting a critical reflection on the most significant and contextual aspects of the present with their research.

Artistic direction

For the first time, the new and refreshed 2023 edition sees the leadership of an artistic director, curator Giacomo Pigliapoco, who is responsible for both the communication and strategic management of the Prize, particularly the planning and strengthening of its activities, the curatorship of the finalists' exhibition, and the production of the print publication.

Prize

DucatoPrize is divided into two categories: Contemporary Art and Art Academy. The Prize culminates with an exhibition displaying the 10 finalist works, five from each category. The initiative is intended to award artists who have already embarked into the contemporary art field and younger artists still enrolled at educational institutions to encourage their growth. The exhibition takes place in Piacenza at Volumnia, within the context of the former Church of St. Augustine, a majestic 16th-century deconsecrated building located along Stradone Farnese. Since 2018, Enrica De Micheli, a dealer specialized in antiques and modern art, has revitalized the church, turning it into an exhibition space dedicated to historical Italian design and combining it with a substantial cultural proposal of exhibitions and events.

Sections

Contemporary Open to all artists, national and international, no age limit. Prize: 10,000 € Academy Open to students enrolled at Academies and Art Institutes, national and international, public and private. Prize: 1,000 €