The Pino Pascali Foundation is one of the most important centres dedicated to contemporary art in Southern Italy and serves as a cultural landmark in the village of Polignano a Mare. Housed within a striking 19th-century former slaughterhouse overlooking the sea, the foundation preserves and promotes the artistic legacy of Pino Pascali, one of the most influential figures in 20th-century Italian Arte Povera.

The museum dedicated to the artist was inaugurated in 1998 and, since 2010, has found its permanent home in the current historic building, which has been fully restored and transformed into a contemporary exhibition space. The foundation’s galleries house original works by Pino Pascali from family bequests and private collections, as well as works by Italian and international artists featured in the temporary exhibitions organised over the years.

The Foundation plays a central role in promoting contemporary art through exhibitions, cultural events and research activities. Of particular significance is the prestigious Pino Pascali Prize, originally established in 1969 by the artist’s parents and relaunched in 1997 under the direction of Rosalba Branà. Over the years, the prize has been awarded to some of the most influential figures on the international art scene, helping to consolidate the Foundation’s prestige at European level.

Among the award-winning artists are such prominent names as Achille Bonito Oliva, Jan Fabre, Adrian Paci, Fabrizio Plessi and the Studio Azzurro collective. The Foundation also hosts solo and group exhibitions dedicated to contemporary artists from Puglia, Italy and abroad.

In 2013, the Pino Pascali Foundation was recognised by Artribune as the best art foundation in Italy, confirming its role as a centre of cultural excellence on the national scene.

Visiting this space means immersing yourself in a place where creativity, experimentation and artistic heritage interact with the unique landscape of Polignano a Mare, amidst restored industrial architecture and views of the Adriatic Sea.