To promote artistic and cultural cooperation between Italy and the States of the African continent, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation together with the Ministry of Culture have launched the first edition of the “Mattei Art and Academy Prize.”
The initiative has a total financial allocation of one million euros.
The objective is to strengthen Italy–Africa relations through financial support for artistic projects and the creation of visual, applied, performing, audiovisual, literary, cultural, and educational works.
Culture is a bridge between peoples, fostering mutual understanding, supporting the international mobility of artists and cultural professionals, enhancing cultural heritage and creative industries, encouraging strategic partnerships, and contributing to the growth of professional and managerial skills in cultural and creative sectors.
Projects must aim to strengthen human capital by promoting the acquisition of technical, professional, and managerial skills, in order to support employability, entrepreneurship, and local economic growth through partnerships between educational institutions, the private sector, and public administrations, as well as supporting inclusive training pathways at all levels.
Individuals, artistic and cultural collectives, and public or private non-profit entities based in Italy with at least three years of experience in the cultural and creative sector may participate. Applications must be submitted in partnership with at least one entity belonging to a State of the African continent, according to the requirements set out in the call.
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the portal https://servizi.cultura.gov.it/ from 12:00 p.m. on August 31, 2026 to 12:00 p.m. on October 31, 2026.
Proposals will be evaluated based on criteria that highlight artistic quality, innovation, social and territorial impact, inclusion, intercultural dialogue, sustainability, and project solidity. Projects capable of significantly contributing to the strengthening of cultural relations between Italy and Africa and to the promotion of international cooperation in the cultural sector will be awarded.
The complete call is available on the official page of the Central Institute for the Economic Valorization and Promotion of Cultural Heritage
