24 ORE Cultura

What 24 ORE Cultura does

24 ORE Cultura S.r.l. is an Italian cultural publishing and exhibition management company, operating as the cultural division of the Il Sole 24 ORE Group. The company produces art exhibitions, manages the MUDEC – Museo delle Culture di Milano, and publishes illustrated art books through four editorial imprints: 24 ORE Cultura (art books and monographs), 24 ORE Cultura Kids (children's titles), 24 ORE Cultura Comics (graphic novels, launched 2023), and Libri Scheiwiller (historic essays imprint, acquired 2007). The combined catalog comprises approximately 1,000 titles. The company serves three primary customer groups: cultural institutions and museums (exhibition production, museum management, catalogs), corporate clients (tailor-made publishing, anniversary volumes, corporate communications), and public administrations (urban regeneration projects, festivals, cultural programming). End consumers purchase books directly through the company website, Amazon, Ibs, museum stores, and physical bookstores.

The business operates five distinct revenue streams. Book publishing sales generate revenue through direct and indirect retail across four imprints. Exhibition production and museum management — anchored by MUDEC and a portfolio of touring shows including Matisse, Macchiaioli, Botero, Bosch, and Hayez retrospectives — produce fee, ticket, and sponsorship income. Tailor-made publishing services provide end-to-end custom editorial production (concept, editing, photography, design, printing, distribution, including ebook and audiobook) for institutions and corporations. International editions generate licensing royalties and co-edition revenue through partnerships with Abrams, Thames & Hudson, Hachette, Laurence King, Éditions de la Martinière, and Anaya, plus institutional collaborations with MoMA New York and Centre Pompidou Paris. Retail and merchandising operations through the art&design24 concept stores add a design-product and museum-merchandise revenue line. Pricing on books ranges from approximately €16.50 to €49.50 across categories.

The company is privately held as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the publicly listed Il Sole 24 ORE Group, with headquarters at Viale Sarca 223 in Milan. Headcount is between 11 and 50 employees. The company does not operate proprietary technology platforms, APIs, or AI systems; its competitive position rests on editorial IP, the parent-group brand, a network of institutional partnerships, and international co-edition distribution. Foreign rights and digital distribution have been expanded since 2020, and the company maintains active social media, newsletter, and event-driven marketing channels anchored to exhibitions and cultural events.

Name

24 ORE Cultura

Legal name

24 ORE Cultura S.r.l.

Website

https://24orecultura.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

24 ORE Cultura, the cultural division of Italy's Il Sole 24 ORE Group, produces art exhibitions, manages the MUDEC museum in Milan, and publishes illustrated art books across four editorial imprints serving museums, corporations, and consumers in Italy and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Publishing and Exhibition Management

NAICS

Book Publishers (51313), Museums (712110), Book Retailers and News Dealers (45921)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Art, Photography & Illustrated Books Publishing (MPAJAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hardcover & Premium Editions Publishing (MPAJAAAE), Children’s Book Print-on-Demand (Picture Books, Early Readers, YA) (MPAJANAC), Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH)

Keywords

• Art book publishing
• Exhibition production
• Museum management
• Cultural publishing
• Illustrated books

Headquarters

HQ city

Milano Marittima

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Book Publishing Sales: Sale of published books through four editorial brands: 24 ORE Cultura (art books), 24 ORE Cultura Kids, 24 ORE Cultura Comics, and Libri Scheiwiller. Books are sold through direct online sales, major retailers (Amazon, Ibs), museum stores, and bookstores. Approximately 1,000 titles in the catalog.
2. Exhibition Production: Production of major art exhibitions in Italy and internationally, including museum management (MUDEC). Revenue generated through ticket sales, sponsorship, and exhibition fees.
3. Tailor-Made Publishing Services: Custom publishing services for public administrations, foundations, banks, museums, and companies. Services include concept definition, editing, graphic design, photography campaigns, printing, packaging, and distribution. Also includes ebook and audiobook production.
4. International Editions and Rights: Foreign rights sales and co-editions with international publishers (Abrams, Laurence King, Thames & Hudson, Hachette, Éditions de la Martinière, Anaya). Translation, co-production, and distribution services for international markets.
5. Retail and Merchandising: Operation of art&design24 concept stores and merchandising services. Museum retail spaces selling books, design objects, and branded merchandise.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

24 ORE Cultura publishes art books, children's books, comics, and essays through four editorial brands (24 ORE Cultura, 24 ORE Cultura Kids, 24 ORE Cultura Comics, and Libri Scheiwiller), produces major art exhibitions in Italy and abroad, manages museums including MUDEC (Museo delle Culture di Milano), and operates retail concept stores under the art&design24 brand. The company provides tailor-made publishing services to institutions and corporations and manages international co-editions with major foreign publishers.

Product overview

24 ORE Cultura is a cultural publishing and management company operating across four main divisions: (1) Publishing, encompassing four imprints — 24 ORE Cultura (art books and monographs), 24 ORE Cultura Kids (children's titles), 24 ORE Cultura Comics (graphic novels since 2023), and Libri Scheiwiller (essays and historical series acquired 2007) — with a catalog of approximately 1,000 titles; (2) Exhibition Production and Museum Management, including operation of MUDEC – Museo delle Culture di Milano and international exhibition services; (3) Retail and Concept Stores, featuring art&design24 and merchandising services; and (4) Corporate and Institutional Services, including tailor-made publishing and international editions. The company is part of the Il Sole 24 ORE Group.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 24 ORE Cultura Comics: Comics and graphic novel division launched in 2023, featuring works by established and emerging illustrators
• 24 ORE Cultura Kids
• Libri Scheiwiller
• art&design24

Products and services

• 24 ORE Cultura Publishing Imprint Main publishing imprint producing art books, monographs, and cultural volumes covering masters of art, design, architecture, and photography.
• 24 ORE Cultura Kids Children's publishing line producing illustrated books, activity books, and educational titles for young readers, including city exploration guides and art history stories.
• 24 ORE Cultura Comics Graphic novel and comic publishing line featuring series including I grandi artisti, Visionaria, and 24 ore a... Notable publication: Frida Kahlo. Operetta amorale a fumetti with over 25,000 copies sold in Italy and 30,000 abroad.
• Libri Scheiwiller Historic publishing brand producing essays on arts and current affairs, continuing original series Idee and L'Arte e le Arti, and launched Interviews collection in 2021 in partnership with Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera.
• MUDEC – Museo delle Culture di Milano Museum of Cultures in Milan managed by 24 ORE Cultura, a multicultural meeting place for discovering world cultures through exhibitions and cultural programming.
• Exhibition Production Services Production of major art exhibitions in Italy and internationally, including concept development, adaptation for specific exhibition contexts, and full project management.
• Tailor-made Publishing Services Custom publishing services for public administrations, museums, banks, foundations, and companies. Services include concept definition, editing, photography campaigns, graphic design, printing, packaging, launch events, PR, marketing, distribution, and digital editions (ebook, audiobook).
• International Editions and Foreign Rights Foreign rights and international co-edition services managing translation, graphic adaptation, and production for co-editions with international publishers including Abrams, Thames & Hudson, Hachette, and Éditions de la Martinière.
• art&design24 Concept Stores Concept store and retail brand operating within museum spaces, offering a curated selection of design products, books, and merchandise aligned with exhibition themes.
• Retail Merchandising Services Museum retail space management and merchandising services developing commercial spaces as places for exhibition theme exploration and design trend discovery.

Quantifiable outcome

• Frida Kahlo graphic novel sold over 25,000 copies in Italy and 30,000 abroad, translated into 5 languages
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, flagship and minor.

• Forte di BardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Prestigious collaboration for Marino Marini retrospective exhibition (June-November 2024) at Forte di Bard in Aosta Valley. 24 ORE Cultura organized the exhibition featuring over 60 works including sculptures, drawings, and paintings.
• Museo Marino Marini di FirenzecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Collaboration for Marino Marini retrospective exhibition at Forte di Bard. The Florence museum provided artworks and curatorial expertise for the exhibition showcasing one of Italy's greatest 20th century artists.
• Gruppo UnipolmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Partner in urban art projects including DOA OA botanical mural in Turin and ZEDZ for Mondrian public art project in Milan. Contributes to cultural sponsorship and urban regeneration initiatives.
• MattelflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Three-year partnership for publishing books about Barbie and related IP. Includes updated 'Barbie. The Icon Celebration' for 65th anniversary and upcoming 'Just Ken' (2025). International co-editions in multiple markets.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration on 'Farnesina Laboratory' and 'Laboratorio della Crescita' roadshows helping Italian territories and cultural/Made in Italy entities connect with international opportunities through Italian Cultural Institutes.
• Consolate dei Paesi Bassi (Netherlands Consulate)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Collaboration on ZEDZ for Mondrian project celebrating Dutch artist Piet Mondrian, including exhibition at Mudec and public art mural.
• Accademia di Belle Arti di BreracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Won tender in 2021 for creating high scientific content volumes documenting important artists and teachers who shaped the Academy's history. First titles dedicated to Luciano Fabro, Ugo La Pietra, and Achille Funi.
• Thames & HudsoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor international publishing partner for co-editions in English-language markets. Collaborated on Art Essentials series and prestigious monographs.
• AbramscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational publishing partner for co-editions in US market. Collaborated on art books and monographs.
• Laurence KingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational publishing partner for English-language art book co-editions.
• HachettecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench publishing partner for co-editions in French-language markets.
• Éditions de la MartinièrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench publishing partner for co-editions in French-language markets.
• AnayacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpanish publishing partner for co-editions in Spanish-language markets.
• MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) New YorkflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for developing Kids edition books in collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
• Centre Georges Pompidou ParisflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for developing Kids edition books in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
• City of TurinmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Video Percorsi Narrativi festival in Piazza San Carlo. Collaboration on urban cultural events and Christmas festival featuring art projections.
• Fondazione Contrada Torino onlusminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal nonprofit partner for managing the construction site of the DOA OA botanical mural project in Turin.
• Santa Maria della Scala Museum Complex (Siena)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for UNDER/OVER street art exhibition (June-September 2024) tracing evolution of street art from underground to international contemporary scene.
• Intesa SanpaolocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 'Imprese Vincenti' (Winning Companies) project - itinerant initiative creating book series celebrating virtuous Italian SME experiences, managed in collaboration with 24 ORE Cultura.
• Il Sole 24 ORE GroupflagshipOthersParent company of 24 ORE Cultura. Part of Gruppo Il Sole 24 ORE, Italy's leading business media group.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Electa (Mondadori Group): Italian publisher of art books, exhibition catalogs, and museum titles, owned by Mondadori. Directly comparable on catalog scope (art, architecture, exhibition catalogs) and on the museum/exhibition publishing angle.
• Phaidon Press: Global premium illustrated book publisher covering art, architecture, design, photography, and food. Comparable on premium pricing, illustrated production quality, and international distribution model.
• Skira Editore: Milan-based premium art book publisher producing illustrated monographs, photography books, and exhibition catalogs. Most direct Italian competitor to 24 ORE Cultura's main imprint in the high-end illustrated art publishing market.
• Civita: Italian cultural services company that manages museums and produces exhibitions. Direct peer on the museum management and cultural exhibition production side of 24 ORE Cultura's business (MUDEC and touring exhibitions).
• Arthemisia Group: Italian exhibition production and museum services group that organizes major art exhibitions and cultural events. Closest peer to 24 ORE Cultura's combined exhibition production and museum management business (alongside publishing).
• Marsilio Editori: Venice-based Italian publisher with strong art, architecture, and cultural exhibition catalogs. Comparable in combining trade art publishing with exhibition-tied institutional content.
• Silvana Editoriale: Italian art book publisher specializing in art, photography, design, and exhibition catalogs. Comparable catalog focus, premium illustrated production quality, and exhibition-tied publishing model.
• BAO Publishing: Leading Italian graphic novel and comics publisher. Directly comparable to the 24 ORE Cultura Comics imprint on graphic novel publishing, illustrated narrative titles, and Italian-language comics market dynamics.
• Taschen: Global premium illustrated book publisher covering art, photography, design, and pop culture. Most direct international peer in premium art publishing, with comparable brand-led, high-production-value catalog and global distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Rizzoli (Mondadori Group): Major Italian general-interest and illustrated book publisher under Mondadori. Adjacent incumbent with overlapping illustrated and art-adjacent titles but a much broader trade publishing portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/24ORECultura
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@24orecultura
• Facebookfacebook.com/24oreculturaMostreLibri
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/24-ore-cultura
• Instagraminstagram.com/24orecultura

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 24 ORE Cultura