Arte Sella

What Arte Sella does

Arte Sella is an open-air contemporary art museum located in Val di Sella, Trentino Alps, Italy, operating at approximately 1,000 meters altitude roughly 14 km from Borgo Valsugana. Founded experimentally in 1986 and formalized as the Associazione Arte Sella Impresa Sociale (a cultural association and social enterprise) in October 1989, it operates across three primary exhibition routes: the Giardino di Villa Strobele (a 500-meter garden of architectural installations), the Area di Malga Costa (a 2 km area with approximately 30 monumental works including Cattedrale Vegetale by Giuliano Mauri and Terzo Paradiso by Michelangelo Pistoletto), and the recently reopened 4.5 km Sentiero ArteNatura. The museum features over 300 artworks created by 300+ international artists and architects over its 40-year history, including works by Kengo Kuma, Eduardo Souto de Moura, Jean Nouvel, Michele De Lucchi, and Stefano Boeri.

The organization operates with a lean core staff of approximately 6 qualified personnel supplemented by a broader network of partners, scientific directors across disciplines (Architecture, Design, Art, Dance, Education), guided tour staff, and seasonal collaborators. Its technology footprint consists of an online ticketing system, an e-commerce platform (shop.artesella.it), and the Arte Sella Xplora mobile application for digital exploration of artworks. Supporting programs include Arte Sella Education (workshops and school programs), Arte Sella Architettura (architecture program in collaboration with Politecnico di Milano), Arte Sella Accessibile (accessibility initiative), and event programming covering concerts, poetry readings, and dance performances.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix: ticket sales (€5–€11 per visitor across categories including adults, children, groups, and schools), guided tour fees (€150–€200 per group), corporate sponsorships from local and regional businesses (Montura, Levico Acqua, Dolomiti Energia, Cassa Rurale Valsugana e Tesino, Finistral), institutional and EU funding (including PSR 2014-2020 rural development grants totaling €133,612 across three projects and Creative Europe Programme support for Dancing Museums), an online shop, and event revenue (e.g., Arte Sella Poesia at €15 per attendee). Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer across tourist, family, school, and cultural enthusiast segments, leveraging the museum's website, social media (Facebook, Instagram), newsletters, and partnerships with regional tourism boards (APT Valsugana Lagorai) and peer museums (MUSE, MART).

Name

Arte Sella

Legal name

Associazione Arte Sella Impresa Sociale

Website

https://artesella.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Arte Sella is an Italian open-air contemporary art museum in the Trentino Alps, operating since 1986 across multiple exhibition routes featuring 300+ site-specific artworks. It serves tourists, families, and school groups through ticket sales, sponsorships, and public funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Open-Air Art Museum

NAICS

Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Art Museums (THAJADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH), Museum, Zoo & Attraction Gift Shops (CRALAJAG), Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

Keywords

• Contemporary art museum
• Outdoor sculpture exhibits
• Nature art installations
• Cultural education programs
• Open-air museum experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Borgo Valsugana

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Arte Sella generates primary revenue through entrance fees to its exhibition areas. Tickets are sold at fixed prices for different visitor categories including adults, children, groups, and school groups. The museum is open daily with varying seasonal hours.
2. Sponsorships and Partnerships: Arte Sella receives financial and in-kind support from corporate sponsors including Montura, Levico Acqua, Dolomiti Energia, Finistral, Cassa Rurale Valsugana, and many other local and regional businesses.
3. Government and EU Funding: Arte Sella receives funding from public institutions including Provincia di Trento, Regione Trentino Alto Adige, and EU programs. Notable funding includes PSR 2014-2020 rural development funds (€51,312 for Benchmark, €36,800 for Welcome, €45,500 for 'il passato illumina il futuro') and Creative Europe Programme for Dancing Museums project.
4. Online Shop: Arte Sella operates an e-commerce platform (shop.artesella.it) selling publications, objects, and artistic works.
5. Events and Special Programs: Revenue from special events including concerts, poetry readings, dance performances, and educational workshops. Events such as Arte Sella Poesia (€15 per person) and Arte Sella Education summer programs generate additional income.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Arte Sella is an open-air contemporary art museum in Val di Sella, Trentino, Italy that exhibits site-specific installations integrated with the natural Alpine landscape. Operating as a cultural association and social enterprise (Associazione Arte Sella Impresa Sociale), it offers admission to exhibition areas and trails, guided tours, educational programs, cultural events, an online shop, an architecture program, an accessibility program, and a mobile application for visitors.

Product overview

Arte Sella is an open-air contemporary art museum in Val di Sella, Trentino, Italy, operating as a social enterprise cultural association founded in 1986. The museum comprises multiple exhibition areas: the Giardino di Villa Strobele (featuring approximately 15-20 architectural installations), the Area di Malga Costa (the main 2km area with ~30 monumental works including Cattedrale Vegetale and Simbiosi), and two pedestrian trails (Sentiero Montura at 4km and Sentiero ArteNatura at 4.5km). Supporting services include Arte Sella Education (workshops and programs for schools and families), Arte Sella XPLORA (mobile application for digital visitor experience), an online shop, event programming (concerts, poetry, dance), and international projects (Dancing Museums, Moving Borders, Perform Europe, Sky Museum, and Elementi photography series). The venue also features dining options including Ristorante Ersilia Botanic Bistro at Malga Costa, and hospitality referrals for overnight stays in the Valsugana region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Arte Sella Architettura: A dedicated program launched in 2017 making Villa Strobele a place for international architecture, in collaboration with Politecnico di Milano.
• Arte Sella Education
• Arte Sella Dance
• Arte Sella Xplora
• Arte Sella Accessibile
• Arte Sella Poesia
• Arte Sella Incontri
• Sky Museum

Products and services

• Arte Sella museum admission and on-site experience
• Arte Sella Education
• Arte Sella XPLORA
• Arte Sella Shop
• Arte Sella Architettura
• Arte Sella Accessibile
• Arte Sella cultural events and exhibitions calendar

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 artists have collaborated with Arte Sella since 1986
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Provincia di TrentocoreOthersGovernment partner providing institutional support and funding for Arte Sella operations and projects.
• Regione Trentino Alto AdigecoreOthersRegional government partner supporting Arte Sella as a cultural tourism destination in the Trentino region.
• Comune di Borgo ValsuganacoreOthersLocal municipality hosting Arte Sella administrative offices and supporting museum operations.
• Fondazione CaritromajorOthersTrentino banking foundation providing financial support for cultural initiatives.
• ETS (European Territorial Cooperation) / Creative Europe ProgrammemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU funding program supporting Dancing Museums project (2018-2021), a creative Europe action-research project co-funded by the European Union.
• Politecnico di MilanomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for Arte Sella Architettura, hosting international architects for site-specific architectural installations in Villa Strobele garden.
• Fondazione Brescia MuseiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-produced Emilio Isgrò's Armonium delle allodole impazzite artwork, now permanently installed at Arte Sella Malga Costa.
• MonturaminorOthersCorporate sponsor supporting Arte Sella operations.
• Dolomiti EnergiaminorOthersCorporate energy company sponsor offering discounted family packages to Arte Sella for employees and customers.
• Cassa Rurale Valsugana e TesinominorOthersLocal banking cooperative sponsor offering discounted family packages to Arte Sella for members.
• MUSEmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerScience museum in Trento providing cross-promotional discounts. Holders of MUSE tickets receive reduced admission to Arte Sella.
• MART (Museo d'Arte Moderna)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerModern art museum in Rovereto providing cross-promotional discounts. Holders of Mart tickets receive reduced admission to Arte Sella.
• APT Valsugana LagoraimajorGTM or Marketing PartnerTourist board providing shuttle services and promotional support for Arte Sella as a regional attraction.
• European Land + Art NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network connecting land art and nature-based art museums across Europe.
• Coop APIminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSocial cooperative providing personal accompaniment and assistance services for elderly and disabled visitors to Arte Sella.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Fondation Carmignac: Private art foundation on the island of Porquerolles, France, presenting contemporary art in a Mediterranean natural setting. Shares Arte Sella's positioning as a curated outdoor art destination, though it is smaller and more recently established as a visitor venue.
• Ekebergparken: Outdoor sculpture park in Oslo, Norway, displaying site-specific contemporary installations in a forested hillside setting. Shares the open-air contemporary-art-in-nature proposition but operates in a more urban, year-round accessible context than Arte Sella.

Regional players

• MUSE - Museo delle Scienze di Trento: Trentino's flagship science museum in Trento and cross-promotional partner offering reciprocal discounts to Arte Sella visitors. Comparable as a major cultural institution driving tourism in the same regional catchment, but focused on natural sciences rather than contemporary art.
• MART - Museo d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea di Trento e Rovereto: Major modern and contemporary art museum in Rovereto, Trentino. Already a cross-promotional partner of Arte Sella and the leading indoor contemporary art venue in the same region; comparable on audience profile and regional tourism role, though the operating model is a traditional indoor museum rather than open-air.

Direct peers

• Storm King Art Center: 500-acre outdoor sculpture park in New York's Hudson Valley featuring large-scale site-specific commissions by leading international artists. Closely aligned with Arte Sella's model of integrating monumental contemporary art with a natural landscape and offering ticketed admission, educational programming, and seasonal events.
• Yorkshire Sculpture Park: Open-air sculpture park in West Yorkshire, UK, displaying works by international artists across a 500-acre landscape. Directly comparable to Arte Sella as a curated open-air venue where monumental contemporary art is integrated with a natural rural setting, supported by ticket admissions, education programs, and corporate sponsorship.
• Wanås Konst: Swedish sculpture park integrated into a historic estate and forest landscape, commissioning site-specific works by international artists since the 1990s. Comparable to Arte Sella in scale, mission of integrating contemporary art with nature, and reliance on grants, sponsorships, and ticketed admissions.
• Inhotim: Brazilian open-air contemporary art museum and botanical garden hosting large-scale site-specific installations and pavilions. Comparable to Arte Sella as a vast open-air venue where contemporary art is embedded in a natural setting, funded through ticket sales, sponsorships, and institutional partnerships.
• Hakone Open-Air Museum: Japan's first open-air art museum, located in a mountainous Hakone setting with site-specific installations and a Picasso pavilion. Highly comparable to Arte Sella in combining an Alpine landscape with curated contemporary sculpture, educational facilities, and family-focused programming.

Broad incumbents

• Kröller-Müller Museum: Major Dutch museum with one of Europe's largest sculpture gardens, set within Hoge Veluwe National Park. Overlaps with Arte Sella on outdoor sculpture park operations but is a substantially larger, established institution with a significant indoor gallery and world-class Van Gogh collection.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/artesella
• Instagraminstagram.com/artesella
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arte-sella

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arte Sella