The Museum of Contemporary Sculpture Matera (MUSMA) is housed in the evocative halls of Palazzo Pomarici, a historic eighteenth-century building partially carved into tuff, in the heart of the Sassi di Matera. This museum, unique in Italy, is dedicated exclusively to sculpture, offering a vast and varied collection that spans from the nineteenth century to today.
Inaugurated in 2006, MUSMA stands out not only for the quality of the works displayed but also for the context in which they are immersed: the caves and rooms carved into the rock create a magical and atmospheric environment that intensifies the artistic experience of the visitor. The works are arranged in such a way as to create a dialogue between the ancient and the modern, between the millennial stone of the sassi and contemporary creativity.
The museum’s collection includes sculptures in bronze, iron, ceramic, glass, and other materials, made by prominent Italian and international artists. Among the well-known names featured in the museum are Emilio Greco, Giacomo Manzù, and Pietro Consagra, whose works contribute to narrating the history and evolution of modern sculpture.
MUSMA is also an active center for cultural events, hosting temporary exhibitions, meetings with artists, workshops, conferences, and concerts, making it a vibrant hub of cultural exchange and artistic promotion within the Matera community and beyond.
In addition to the exhibition rooms, the museum extends into a labyrinth of underground galleries, where art merges with rock architecture in a unique immersive experience. These spaces, originally used for water collection or as dwellings, now stand out as extraordinary backdrops for artworks.
One of the museum’s main missions is to educate and inspire: through educational programs and guided tours, the museum strives to make sculptural art accessible and understandable to everyone, from young children to adults, from art enthusiasts to novices.
MUSMA not only preserves and exhibits artworks but also stimulates contemporary creativity through a residency program that invites sculptors from around the world to work and create new works inspired by Matera’s unique environment.
The museum’s interactive and inclusive approach extends to its use of outdoor spaces; the courtyard and gardens of the palace, overlooking the Sassi, are often used for artistic installations that blend with the landscape, erasing the boundaries between art and nature.
Visiting MUSMA is an experience that goes beyond simply viewing artworks; it is a journey through different eras and styles, a deep immersion in the beauty and expressive power of sculpture, revealed in every corner of this exceptional museum.
With its initiatives and vision, the Museum of Contemporary Sculpture of Matera represents an essential reference point in the Italian cultural landscape, actively promoting the knowledge and appreciation of contemporary sculpture at both national and international levels.