Some openings in Venice feel like a whisper. Others feel like a turning point. The debut of AMA Venezia — the city’s newest contemporary art gallery — is the second kind. Hidden in Cannaregio, overlooking a quiet canal and wrapped inside the walls of a former 16th-century industrial building, AMA Venezia has instantly become one of the most exciting new cultural spaces in the lagoon.
For travellers who love Venice beyond the classics, for collectors, for art-hungry visitors who want to understand what Venice is becoming — not just what it used to be — this gallery is a revelation. And for us at Tour Leader Venice, AMA Venezia is the kind of place we love to introduce our guests to: authentic, unexpected, and deeply connected to the soul of the city.
Here is your complete guide to the newest creative landmark in Venice.
A Vision Born From Passion and Contemporary Culture
AMA Venezia is the creation of Laurent Asscher, an international collector with a powerful vision: to transform Venice into a global hub not only for classical and Renaissance art, but for contemporary expression as well. The gallery’s name carries double meaning — a tribute to Asscher’s children (Andrea, Matteo and Alessandro), and a reference to the Italian word ama, “love”. Both meanings sum up the emotional and personal core behind this project.
Venice has always been a crossroads of art and global influence. AMA Venezia steps directly into this legacy, presenting modern and contemporary works in a setting that echoes the city’s centuries-old culture while pushing its artistic identity forward.
A Restored Industrial Treasure in Cannaregio
The space itself is extraordinary. Housed in a historic industrial structure documented as early as the Renaissance, the building once functioned as a Venetian soap factory. Today, thanks to a meticulous restoration by TA Torsello Architettura, it’s a luminous 1,000-square-meter gallery with ten exhibition rooms — an architecture that respects the building’s past while giving contemporary art the space it deserves.
The atmosphere is quiet, elegant, and cinematic. Exposed beams, generous walls, and a play of light echo the minimalist language of modern exhibition spaces, all while preserving the depth, age and texture of Venice’s architectural heritage.
It’s one of those places you enter and immediately feel: “This belongs in Venice.”
The Art: A Dialogue Between Global Voices
AMA Venezia inaugurates its presence with a debut collection that feels international, ambitious, and refreshingly bold. Drawn from Asscher’s private collection, the first exhibition features major names — from sculptural icons to digital-era innovators — creating a dialogue between past and present inside a city built on artistic reinvention.
The works span from the 1960s to today, exploring themes like identity, movement, digital culture and spatial perception. Large-scale installations, conceptual pieces and vibrant contemporary works create a strong contrast with the building’s centuries-old bones — a contrast that feels unmistakably Venetian.
It’s not a typical Venice exhibition. It’s a statement.
A Free, Public Space for Contemporary Art
One of the remarkable aspects of AMA Venezia is that, as of now, admission is free. The gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00, giving both locals and travellers a chance to enjoy high-level contemporary art without barriers.
For a city that welcomes millions but sometimes feels difficult to access culturally, this openness offers a breath of fresh air — an invitation to explore Venice not just as a museum of the past, but as a living, evolving cultural center.
A New Stop Along Venice’s Creative Routes
AMA Venezia fits beautifully into our curated itineraries for travellers seeking deeper cultural experiences. During our personalized routes and premium walking tours, such as Venice Like a Local, we guide guests into quieter neighborhoods like Cannaregio — exactly the kind of district where contemporary spaces like AMA flourish.
Beyond simply visiting the gallery, the area around it opens up into artisan workshops, small creative ateliers, and hidden cultural corners. Pair it with a stop inside our Venice Artisan Tour, and you get a full picture of how Venice’s creative ecosystem works today — from centuries-old crafts to cutting-edge art spaces.
AMA Venezia is helping shift Venice’s cultural compass, and our tours follow that direction naturally: towards authenticity, innovation, and real artistic dialogue.
How to Visit AMA Venezia
Location:
Fondamenta de Ca’ Vendramin 2395,
Cannaregio, 30121 Venezia
(near Ca’ d’Oro)
Opening Hours:
Wednesday–Sunday, 11:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30)
Admission:
Currently free
How to get there:
Vaporetto Line 1 → Stop: Ca’ d’Oro → short walk
Why AMA Venezia Matters
Venice has always been synonymous with art — but too often only with the art of the past. AMA Venezia bridges that gap. It brings global contemporary voices into a city defined by layered history, proving that Venice isn’t stuck in time: it’s evolving, dreaming, and participating in the conversations shaping today’s creative world.
For travellers interested in art, culture, and refined experiences, AMA offers something Venice needed: an elegant, quiet, inspiring space where modern expression feels surprisingly at home.
FAQs
Is AMA Venezia suitable for visitors who aren’t contemporary art experts?
Absolutely. The gallery’s atmosphere, architecture and curated exhibition flow make it enjoyable for both experts and curious newcomers.
Can AMA Venezia be included in a private tour?
Yes — AMA Venezia can be integrated into customized cultural routes, including our Venice Like a Local and Artisan Tour itineraries.
How long should I plan for a visit?
Most visitors spend 45–90 minutes inside, depending on the exhibition and their interest in contemporary art.
