The Fondazione Galleria Milano is a third-sector organization established in 2024 with a dual purpose: on one hand, the protection and enhancement of the artistic and cultural heritage of the historic Galleria Milano (1964–2022), one of the most significant institutions in the national and international art scene; on the other, the promotion of contemporary research, both national and international, through exhibitions, performances, meetings, and in-depth discussions, as well as educational and training activities.
The Foundation aims to be a reference point for cultural production and research. Its connection with the city of Milan and the surrounding area remains strong, engaging in constructive dialogue with institutions through collaboration with museums, other cultural entities, universities, and art academies. Fondazione Galleria Milano is a private non-profit entity and presents itself as an activating institution, striving to offer inclusive cultural programming.
The Venue
The dual approach focused on safeguarding cultural heritage and fostering contemporary research is also reflected in the architecture of the venue, located in the courtyard of a classic building in southern Milan, in a rapidly growing neighborhood that hosts other prominent artistic and cultural institutions. Spread across two floors, the upper level houses a spacious exhibition area illuminated by large wooden windows, while the lower level includes another exhibition space, a screening room, an extensive library, the historic archive of the Galleria Milano, and a collection of materials from over a thousand artists who, over the decades, have contributed documentation and catalogs related to their work.
The Foundation’s goals go beyond preserving the existing archive: it is committed to offering expertise and services for the conservation and promotion of additional archives of artists and institutions tied to contemporary art, through the Archivi Riuniti (United Archives) project.
The Foundation traces its roots to Galleria Milano, one of the longest-standing modern and contemporary art galleries in Italy. A first iteration of Galleria Milano opened in 1928, founded by Enrico Somarè, but the experience came to an end within a decade due to the outbreak of war and a series of troubled events. In 1964, the gallery reopened in Via della Spiga, marking the beginning of a long journey under the direction of Carla Pellegrini Rocca, who led it from 1965 until 2019. Pellegrini Rocca made bold and forward-looking curatorial choices, being among the first in Italy to exhibit English Pop Art, Viennese Actionism, Japan’s Gutai Group, and emerging German artists such as Georg Baselitz, Joseph Beuys, and Blinky Palermo. She also showcased American artists then little known in Italy, including Ed Ruscha, Fred Sandback, Bob Graham, Kenneth Price, and Joe Goode.
Over the course of more than 350 exhibitions—first at Via della Spiga and later at the aristocratic building on Via Manin/Via Turati, which hosted the gallery from 1973 to 2022—the gallery presented lesser-known aspects of historical avant-gardes and abstraction. It cultivated decades-long partnerships with artists such as Vincenzo Agnetti, Gianfranco Baruchello, Valentina Berardinone, Antonio Calderara, Vincenzo Ferrari, Enzo Mari, Davide Mosconi, Grazia Varisco, and Luigi Veronesi, among others.
After the passing of Carla Pellegrini Rocca in 2019, the gallery was taken over by her son Nicola Pellegrini, supported by Baldo Pellegrini, Toni Merola, and Bianca Trevisan. In just three years, the gallery renewed its commitment to research and experimentation, hosting exhibitions by Pierluigi Fresia, Dario Bellini, Francesco Voltolina, Giovanni Oberti, Daniela Comani, Enzo Mari, Riccardo Arena, Betty Danon, Cesare Viel, and Shusaku Arakawa, as well as group shows such as Autoprogettazione during the 2020 pandemic closure, and a final farewell to the Via Manin/Via Turati venue, titled Here Between Not-Yet and No-More. Editorial work also gained new momentum through collaboration with Humboldt Books and Kunstverein Publishing.
President
Nicola Pellegrini, Founder and artist
Vice President
Baldo Pellegrini, Founder
Ordinary Director
Andrea De Vecchi, certified public accountant and auditor
Director
Bianca Trevisan, art historian and curator
Advisors
Giovanni Oberti, artist
Ornella Mignone, artist archives expert
Malvina Monti, organization and network extension expert
Galleria Milano Foundation is advised by Andersen Tax & Legal Italia.
The Fondazione Galleria Milano is founded and the first exhibition will be on Alexander and Sasha Brodsky
Fondazione Galleria Milano: Meet those who make history in the present
The whole history of Galleria Milano: from the beginnings in Via della Spiga to the Foundation in Corvetto
The whole history of Galleria Milano: from the beginnings in Via della Spiga to the Foundation in Corvetto
From Galleria Milano to Foundation. An interview with Bianca Trevisan. The story can be summarised comprehensively...
Fondazione Galleria Milano, the new hub for contemporary art and research. An art gallery, a library, an archive...
The Fondazione Galleria Milano is born. Opens with the exhibition Alexander and Sasha Brodsky. Nameless Square after almost...
Galleria Milano is reborn as a Foundation On 18 March, the space headed by Nicola Pellegrini, son of gallery owner...
Fondazione Galleria Milano: 'It will be a hub for artists. So I took up the challenge in my mother's name'. Nicola Pellegrini's commitment...
Galleria Milano becomes Foundation, to 'keep the link with the city strong Galleria Milano is now an institution in the Milanese city ...
Statutory Activities and Corporate Purpose (Art. 5 Legislative Decree No. 117/2017 and/or Art. 2 Legislative Decree No. 112/2017 or Art. 1 Law No. 381/1991)
The Foundation shall carry out, exclusively or principally, the following activities of general interest pursuant to Article 5, paragraph 1, letters d), i), and k) of the “CTS”, namely:
d) education, instruction and vocational training, pursuant to Law No. 53 of 28 March 2003 and subsequent amendments, as well as cultural activities of social interest with educational objectives;
i) organization and management of cultural, artistic or recreational activities of social interest, including publishing activities for the promotion and dissemination of culture and the practice of volunteering and of the general interest activities referred to in this article;
k) organization and management of tourist activities of social, cultural or religious interest;
The Foundation’s activity consists in the management of the Documentary Archive of Galleria Milano and any other archives representative of forms of contemporary art, aimed at research, study and/or documentation, exhibition, training and preservation. Specifically, the Foundation carries out activities promoting the archive; the promotion of modern and contemporary art and culture from a perspective of research and experimentation; and the promotion of topics relating to contemporary art, such as art law, archival techniques, etc.
The Foundation may also:
- establish laboratories for interdisciplinary research introduced by modern and contemporary art;
- produce and support initiatives based on creativity aimed at enhancing the interactive relationship between the artistic field and various sectors of social life;
- promote the creation of creative projects that interconnect art and production sectors;
- promote and disseminate the work of those involved in the artistic and cultural research conducted by the Foundation;
- initiate joint research between artistic and scientific disciplines, including those relating to ecological thinking perspectives;
- promote the study and practice of the relationship between art, architecture and the environment, regarding both conservation and design;
- participate in or contribute to humanitarian activities in which the contribution of art and culture is a core motivation, including therapeutic aspects;
- establish awards, scholarships, courses and competitions; promote specialist training and carry out all necessary actions to achieve its purpose;
- conduct research and studies itself or assign them to external collaborators or institutions;
- promote documentation activities in the relevant disciplinary fields;
- organize seminars, symposia, congresses, conferences, exhibitions and events of artistic and cultural nature;
- oversee the protection, restoration, promotion and enhancement of assets of artistic and historical interest, even those governed by Law No. 1089/1939, including libraries and assets covered by Presidential Decree No. 1409/1963;
- promote activities targeting childhood, particularly the organization and management of venues, activities and events for early-age education and socialization, as well as the provision of related services;
- design, organize and offer courses and training of all kinds, including those officially recognized by Competent Authorities;
- organize and manage any initiative suitable for fostering structured contact between the Foundation, professionals and national/international institutions, their affiliates and the public, in line with institutional objectives.
To achieve its goals, the Foundation will operate through the most appropriate initiatives and instruments and may enter into agreements, contracts or arrangements with public administrations, public entities and/or private organizations in pursuit of its purposes, including—by way of example but not limitation—the taking out of short- or long-term loans for financial support of approved initiatives, the acquisition of properties or land, and participation in associations or institutions, whether public or private, whose activities are directly or indirectly aimed at similar purposes.
As secondary and instrumental activities, the Foundation may engage in “other activities” aside from its principal purpose, including in cooperation with other foundations, institutions and public/private entities. Such “other activities” must be conducted in accordance with the criteria and limits prescribed under Article 6, paragraph 1, of the “CTS”.
The Foundation may rely on its own employees, collaborators, as well as volunteers and supporters. Volunteers who regularly carry out activities will be registered in a dedicated register. Only documented, actual expenses incurred by volunteers may be reimbursed by the Foundation, within the maximum limits and under the conditions previously established by the Board of Directors.