CONDIVIDERE L'ARTE. Tra universi pubblici e privati. Bellinzona e oltre

The Museo Villa dei Cedri will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025! To mark this

milestone, the exhibition depicts the vibrant cultural and artistic scene prevailing from the

final decades of the nineteenth century to the present day that inspired the foundation of the City Museum. Bellinzona became the sole capital of the Canton of Ticino in 1878 and has experienced major urban expansion and modernization ever since; that in turn has had a direct impact on the collections encompassing art, archaeology, history and natural sciences.

Against this background of renewal, many protagonists – patrons, art lovers, scholars, curators, collectors, gallery owners and artists, as well as associations and foundations – have encouraged debate and contributed to the growth of this regional museum. That is how the intricate links between the public and private worlds are reflected in a shared passion for art.

Paintings, works on paper, sculptures, objects of archaeology and applied art, together with documents and letters, enable us to follow this fascinating history, little known but not without surprises, that is still the hallmark of Ticino cantonal culture and art today.