A new cultural hub in the historic Palazzo Pisani Moretta
Venice is preparing to welcome a new key player on the international cultural scene. In April 2026, alongside the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, the Dries Van Noten Foundation will officially open its doors to the public, housed in the historic Palazzo Pisani Moretta overlooking the Grand Canal. An ambitious project that aims to expand the landscape of contemporary art in Venice, positioning itself not merely as an exhibition venue but as a living platform for research, education and experimentation.
The Foundation was conceived by Belgian designer Dries Van Noten together with Patrick Vangheluwe, with the declared mission of supporting and promoting craftsmanship in its broadest sense. The focus extends beyond applied arts and traditional making to include design, fashion, architecture, gastronomy and hybrid practices that foster a dialogue between heritage and innovation. This interdisciplinary approach resonates strongly with Venice’s long-standing role as a crossroads of cultures, skills and artistic exchanges.
Dries Van Noten Foundation, Palazzo Pisani Moretta, Venice. Camilla Glorioso photo
Dries Van Noten Foundation, Palazzo Pisani Moretta, Venice. Camilla Glorioso photo
A new cultural hub in the heart of Venice
Rather than functioning as a conventional exhibition space, the Dries Van Noten Foundation is envisioned as an interdisciplinary cultural hub. Its annual programme will include presentations, collaborative projects, artist and artisan residencies, special events and educational initiatives. Workshops and mentorship programmes will also play a central role, addressing students and emerging creatives and encouraging a hands-on, process-driven approach to learning.
In a city like Venice—where the preservation of cultural heritage coexists with the pressures of mass tourism—the project takes on a particularly meaningful dimension. The Foundation directly addresses the issue of the transmission of knowledge and skills, placing the human aspect of making at the core of its vision. Time, care, gestures and materials are understood not as secondary elements, but as essential components of artistic and design practices.
A manifesto rooted in “thinking with the hands”
The conceptual framework of the Foundation is clearly articulated in its manifesto. Venice is described as a living organism, “shaped by water and imagination,” while craftsmanship is presented as a cultural act—a way of thinking with the hands. This notion encapsulates the Foundation’s belief that ideas take form through physical engagement with materials, processes and techniques.
“We have been given so much by fashion, and now we want to give something back,” state Van Noten and Vangheluwe in their joint declaration. Their aim is to create a vibrant place where artists and artisans can present their work and working methods, and where students can learn through direct experience. The idea of giving back is central to the project, reflecting a long-term commitment to culture, education and the city itself.
Palazzo Pisani Moretta: history meets contemporary practice
At the heart of the Foundation lies Palazzo Pisani Moretta, one of Venice’s most evocative historic buildings. Originally constructed at the end of the 15th century in the Venetian Gothic style, the palace passed to the Pisani Moretta family in the 17th century. During the 18th century, its interiors were redesigned in a refined Rococo style and today still preserve original furnishings and artworks attributed to artists such as Giambattista Tiepolo, Jacopo Guarana, Gaspare Diziani and Giuseppe Angeli.
Dries Van Noten Foundation, Palazzo Pisani Moretta, Venice. Camilla Glorioso photo
Long perceived as a spectacular backdrop for events and social gatherings, the palace is now being reimagined as a public cultural venue open to contemporary practices. The recent restoration, led by Venetian architect Alberto Torsello, was carried out with the aim of safeguarding the building’s historical identity while adapting it to continuous public use, in full respect of conservation requirements.
Dries Van Note Foundation, Palazzo Pisani Moretta, Venice. Camilla Glorioso photo
A second space dedicated to experimentation
Alongside its main headquarters, the Foundation has already announced plans for a second venue in Venice. Scheduled to open by the end of 2026, Studio San Polo will be redesigned by Giulia Foscari as a more essential, laboratory-like environment. This additional space will host talks, experimental projects and working sessions, serving as a complementary setting focused on research, dialogue and creative exchange.
Dries Van Noten Foundation, Palazzo Pisani Moretta, Venice. Camilla Glorioso photo
A new chapter for art and design in Venice
Within Venice’s increasingly complex cultural ecosystem—marked in recent years by a growing number of privately driven institutions—the Dries Van Noten Foundation stands out for its emphasis on skills, techniques and creative processes. Its true challenge will be to establish a sustainable, long-term presence capable of engaging with the local community, educational networks and the international contemporary art scene.
Dries Van Noten Foundation, Palazzo Pisani Moretta, Venice. Camilla Glorioso photo
Whether Venice can continue to be not only a destination but also a place of active cultural production will depend on initiatives such as this one. By transforming historic architecture into a catalyst for new ideas, the Foundation proposes a model in which art, design and craftsmanship once again become tools for reflection, exchange and collective imagination.
