Fondazione MAST

Bologna's MAST Foundation is a cultural institution focused on technology, art and innovation, located beside the Coesia industrial group in the city's northern manufacturing district.

Why it matters

Founded by Coesia and the Fondazione Isabella Seràgnoli, MAST brings industrial culture into a public cultural setting. Its mission connects work, technology and the arts, reflecting the manufacturing identity of Bologna's northern districts. The complex was designed as a multifunctional campus with a civic as well as corporate role.

What to notice

The foundation's Photo Gallery presents photography related to industry and work, drawing on its own collection and other holdings. The Innovation Gallery interprets technology, labour and industrial change. Architecture built around glass and open sightlines connects the campus's cultural spaces with its wider institutional setting.

Context and history

MAST opened in 2013 in the Bolognina district beside the Coesia headquarters. The 25,000-square-metre complex was designed to combine cultural, educational and corporate functions. Its name reflects its focus on technology, art and innovation. The foundation also developed international projects related to photography and the world of work, extending a local industrial perspective into wider cultural research.