Palazzo Pisani Moretta welcomes Fondazione Dries Van Noten

Opening in April 2026, Fondazione Dries Van Noten will launch inside the historic Palazzo Pisani Moretta in Venice, marking a new chapter for the city’s cultural landscape. Set along the Grand Canal in the San Polo district, the foundation introduces a long-term platform dedicated to craft and creativity, positioning Venice as a living center for contemporary making.

Conceived by Dries Van Noten and Patrick Vangheluwe, the project reflects a shift from fashion production toward a broader cultural vision rooted in material knowledge and artistic exchange. Rather than functioning as a static institution, the fondazione dries van noten is designed as an evolving space where ideas, skills, and disciplines intersect.

Craft and creativity as cultural language

At the heart of the foundation is a belief that craftsmanship is not merely technical expertise but a form of cultural expression shaped by time, gesture, and human presence. Within the richly layered interiors of Palazzo Pisani Moretta, historic artisanal traditions are placed in dialogue with contemporary practices across art, fashion, design, architecture, and beyond.

The foundation embraces transformation, allowing heritage techniques to be reinterpreted rather than preserved as relics of the past. Programs will unfold through exhibitions, residencies, collaborations, and educational initiatives that encourage thinking through making.

A cultural initiative for the future

As a cultural initiative, the foundation seeks to nurture both established voices and emerging talents, inviting younger generations to participate actively in shaping creative futures. It aims to strengthen Venice’s cultural ecosystem by fostering connections between local craftsmanship and international creativity. The initiative emphasizes slowness, attention, and care as counterpoints to fast-paced production and consumption. In this context, the palazzo itself becomes a working space rather than a backdrop, activating its rooms through contemporary use.

By opening its doors to the public, the foundation extends the legacy of Palazzo Pisani Moretta as a site of cultural exchange. Ultimately, the project frames craft and creativity as living forces, ensuring that Venice remains a city of imagination, experimentation, and renewal.

Special thanks to GC AGENCY