Milan is preparing to be a focal point for contemporary art with the 24th edition of Premio Cairo, scheduled from October 14-19, 2025, at the Museo della Permanente. The event will showcase twenty finalist works, selected by the editorial team of "Arte" magazine, offering a glimpse into the future of the art world. The award ceremony is set for October 13, 2025, with the winner announced at an exclusive opening.
Established in 2000, Premio Cairo has consistently served as a vital platform for emerging contemporary artists, reinforcing Milan's status as a hub for cultural innovation. This year's edition emphasizes environmental stewardship through a partnership with LifeGate, integrating the event into the Climate Action program to measure and reduce its carbon footprint. This initiative reflects a forward-thinking approach to large-scale cultural events.
A distinguished jury, composed of prominent figures from the Italian art scene, will evaluate the twenty participating artists. The jury includes Luca Massimo Barbero, Director of the Institute of Art History at the Giorgio Cini Foundation in Venice, and Mariolina Bassetti, Chairwoman of Christie's Italy. These artists are tasked with presenting a new work that interprets the current era's "unsettled times," fostering a dialogue between artistic creation and contemporary human experience.
The Museo della Permanente, established in 1883 and designed by architect Luca Beltrami, has been a cornerstone of Milan's art scene for over a century. Its commitment to contemporary art is evident in its history of hosting significant exhibitions and its own collection. This year's focus on sustainability within the art world echoes Milan's past explorations of this intersection, such as the "Broken Nature" exhibition at the XXII Triennale di Milano in 2019 and the "SOStenibile" exhibition at the Permanente in 2022, both addressing environmental themes.