Imagine a city that breathes, evolves, and challenges everything you thought you knew about art and culture—that's Rome waking up in 2025! As the Eternal City embraces a fresh chapter of creativity, the MACRO—Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome—is set to reopen its doors, and it's not just any comeback. It's a bold rebirth that turns the museum into a living, pulsating hub, deeply intertwined with the city's vibrant soul. But here's where it gets intriguing: what if museums weren't just places to view art, but active players in shaping urban life? Stick around, because this reopening promises to redefine how we see culture in action.
Located at Via Nizza 138 in Rome 00198, Italy, MACRO welcomes visitors with flexible hours: Tuesdays through Fridays from 12 pm to 7 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 7 pm. On December 12, 2025, under the artistic guidance of Cristiana Perrella, the museum relaunches with a transformative vision. Picture it as a polyphonic organism—a term that might sound fancy, but simply means a harmonious blend of diverse voices and rhythms—designed to mirror Rome's dynamic, sometimes conflicting energies. Gone are the days of static displays; instead, MACRO commits to generating knowledge that spills beyond the gallery walls, fostering connections that feel alive and relevant.
The inaugural season, running through April 2026, pays homage to Rome's fluid cultural tapestry—a decentralized network where art, sound, film, and urban life intermingle like threads in a grand tapestry. Rather than treating Rome as a mere setting, this program sees the city as a proactive force, constantly reinvented by grassroots movements, hidden networks, fresh perspectives, and unconventional practices that push the boundaries of contemporary art. And this is the part most people miss: it's not just about showcasing Rome to locals, but exporting its story globally through new international partnerships that MACRO is eager to spark.
To kick things off, four simultaneous exhibitions launch, weaving a multifaceted story that bridges time, size, and style. They collectively sketch Rome as a city on the move—highlighting its creative foundations, inherent tensions, and the dreams it inspires. Let's dive into each one, breaking them down so even newcomers to art can grasp their essence.
First up is UNAROMA, curated by Cristiana Perrella alongside former director Luca Lo Pinto. Think of it as a sweeping cinematic glimpse into Rome's mixed-generation art world, alive with energy today. It's framed like a movie shot on a digital green screen, featuring over seventy artists within a design by Parasite 2.0 that makes MACRO feel open and ever-changing. The exhibition unfolds in three parts: 'Set' arranges a collection of new and lesser-known works along a green pathway on the ground floor. 'Live' takes this to the first floor, creating a full room for ongoing events like performances, music, talks, workshops, and films that leave their mark on the space. 'Off' spreads UNAROMA beyond the museum, linking independent Roman venues for connected, self-directed projects. In essence, UNAROMA is both an exhibit and a framework—a group story told through many hands, like a collaborative film.
Next, 'One Day You’ll Understand. 25 years from Dissonanze,' also curated by Perrella, looks back at a groundbreaking festival from 2000 to 2010 that made Rome a hotspot for electronic music and digital innovation. Using lots of archived goodies—photos, sounds, and designs—it rebuilds the vibe, structures, and community vibes Dissonanze created in spots like Pietralata, Palazzo dei Congressi, Ara Pacis, and Cappa Mazzoniana. Housed in MACRO's historic rooms, this isn't nostalgia; it's a mirror for today's reflections on Rome's knack for embracing wild ideas. A special research day with Carlo Antonelli and Valerio Mannucci brings in current artists, curators, and thinkers to discuss these themes, making it a bridge to the present.
Then there's 'With Jonathas de Andrade. Sisters With No Name,' where Perrella introduces a new film by Brazilian artist Jonathas de Andrade, created with Conciliazione 5 and produced by Fondazione In Between Art Film. Drawing from research at Fondazione Lelio e Lisli Basso, it recounts the tale of Brazilian nuns in the 1960s who fused faith, politics, and teaching, only to flee to Rome after clashes with their country's military regime. Mixing old records and personal stories, de Andrade traces a path of defiance across continents, linking these women's struggles to wider fights for freedom and education, while subtly connecting Belo Horizonte and Rome.
Finally, 'Inhabiting the Ruins of the Present,' curated by Giulia Fiocca and Lorenzo Romito of Stalker, views Rome as a playground for bottom-up renewal. Inspired by their work at the 2025 Austrian Pavilion of the Venice Architecture Biennale, it explores living in tough spots, spotlighting ways people recycle, regrow nature, and share control. From Corviale to Lago Bullicante, and beyond occupied buildings to group-led trials, it paints Rome's 'ruins' as fertile ground for fresh possibilities—an urban wisdom that flips traditional views on its head.
But here's where it gets controversial: is turning 'ruins' into opportunities just romanticizing poverty, or does it empower communities in ways big institutions overlook? Do these exhibitions really activate change, or are they just pretty displays? We invite you to ponder this—does viewing art this way challenge your idea of progress, or reinforce it?
The reopening also debuts Cine-città, MACRO's fresh cinema initiative, helmed by Sergio Sozzo and Sara Pirone with CSC–Cineteca Nazionale. It shines a light on Rome's modern film scene, featuring new filmmakers' works every Friday, and Sunday portraits of the city chosen by top Italian and international directors.
Through all these shows, films, and live happenings, MACRO positions itself as a civic and global stage—an open, welcoming lab where Rome's creative sparks aren't just on display, but ignited, debated, and morphed. Led by Perrella, it's entering a dialogue-driven era of cross-pollination and collective dreaming.
Backed by Roma Capitale's Department of Culture and Azienda Speciale Palaexpo, with production and organization by the latter, this program marks Perrella's debut vision: a museum that's multifaceted, vibrant, and open-hearted. The exhibit schedule pairs with daily activities, reclaiming MACRO as a public, approachable gem buzzing with cultural life.
What do you think—does this new MACRO capture the spirit of Rome, or does it risk gentrifying its raw edges? Share your thoughts in the comments: Are you excited about cities driving art, or skeptical of these 'active' interpretations? Let's discuss!
