On May 17, 2026 the Museum of Art of Italian Switzerland (MASI) offers a full day of free access to its LAC and Palazzo Reali offices, on the occasion of the International Museum Day Promoted by the International Council of Museums (ICOM), from 10:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m., the public can enter the exhibition spaces free of charge, participate in scheduled activities, and explore the current exhibitions without a ticket.
The initiative is part of the international calendar dedicated to the cultural and social role of museum institutions, which annually draws attention to globally shared themes. For the 2026 edition, entitled Museums Uniting a Divided World, the focus is oriented towards the function of the museum as a place of comparison, inclusion and encounter between different communities and cultures.
Exhibitions scheduled at the LAC
The current exhibitions can be visited in the LAC centre, with the possibility of participating in the free flash tours organized throughout the day. The proposed itineraries include:
- K-NOW! Korean Video Art Today
- Jean-Frédéric Schnyder. Painting 2024/25
- Feeling and observationArt in Ticino 1850-1950
The short tours, scheduled at multiple time slots and in four languages, will offer a guided introduction to the exhibitions, allowing visitors to orient themselves among the works and gain a deeper understanding of the themes on display. The initiative is aimed at both those seeking a first overview and those wishing to focus on specific aspects of the collections.
Palazzo Reali and the collection
The Palazzo Reali will also be involved in the special opening day. The public will be able to visit the exhibition. Self-portraits from the collection 1928–2021, with two flash tours scheduled in the morning and afternoon. The encounter with the works in the collection allows visitors to observe a broad time span, through works that document different languages and sensibilities.
Family activities and creative workshop
A free creative workshop, designed for children and adults, will be held throughout the day in the LAC foyer. Inspired by the works on display, the activity invites independent experimentation with materials and techniques, fostering a hands-on and participatory approach to the museum experience. The workshop is open continuously from 10:00 AM to 18:00 PM, allowing access at any time during the visit.
An event in the city's cultural calendar
The open day is an opportunity to introduce a wider audience to MASI's exhibitions and to strengthen the dialogue between the institution and the local community. Free admission helps make the cultural offerings more accessible, encouraging participation by families, students, and occasional visitors.
The initiative is also part of a broader exhibition program that, between December 2025 and summer 2026, will involve both venues with distinct projects and diverse thematic itineraries. The synergy between LAC and Palazzo Reali confirms the museum's structure across two complementary hubs, designed to host temporary exhibitions and collections that engage with the city.
