Venice opens Arsenal's gates to Italy's master artisans
More than one hundred artisans from across Italy will gather at the Arsenale di Venezia this week for the fourth edition of the Salone dell'Alto Artigianato Italiano 2026. The event, promoted by the Municipality of Venice and organised by Vela Spa, runs from Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 October 2026 and brings 163 exhibitors to the historic shipyard complex — among them, roughly forty Venetian workshops.
The fair marks its return with a mix of familiar faces and first-time participants. Around ninety exhibitors are coming back from previous editions, while the rest are new additions. The exhibition space spans the Tese delle Nappe and Tesa di San Cristoforo, where visitors can watch craft played out in real time.
Live demonstrations across disciplines
The organisers have scheduled more than 100 live demonstrations, giving the public a direct view of techniques that usually remain behind closed doors. The showcase covers a wide spectrum: jewellery, furniture, ceramics, violin making, metalwork, paper arts, weaving, tailoring and conservation restoration.
New categories added this year include pianos, umbrellas, footwear, writing instruments, hats and leather goods. The aim is to show not just finished objects but the time, skill and knowledge behind each piece.
Workshops, conferences and discussions will run alongside the displays, addressing themes such as innovation, tourism and sustainability.
Sustainability as a working practice
Several exhibitors are presenting work rooted in recovery and reuse. Visitors will find furniture made from reclaimed Venice "bricole" — the wooden posts taken from the lagoon — alongside bags and accessories crafted from leather offcuts and archive fabrics. Some tailor workshops are reinterpreting vintage garments through upcycling projects.
The event itself has obtained ISO 20121:2024 certification for sustainable event management, reflecting an organisational commitment to environmentally responsible practices.
Funding opportunities for artisans
Venetian artisans participating in the fair can access several public funding streams. The Veneto Region's "Bando Il Veneto Artigiano 2026" makes €3M available in total, with €1.5M reserved for enterprises listed as "Maestri Artigiani" on the regional register. The scheme offers non-repayable grants covering 30% of eligible expenses, up to €60,000 for the standard line and €30,000 for the master artisans' line. Applications are open from 8 to 29 September 2026.
At the fair itself, the Tesa 113 hosts special projects from the MUVE Academy, run by the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia. These initiatives connect artisan traditions with training for younger generations through partnerships with schools and cultural institutions.
The Municipality of Venice, in collaboration with CNA Metropolitana di Venezia, also supports generational turnover in traditional artisan businesses within the UNESCO site of Venezia e la sua Laguna. The programme offers grants to enterprises and young people aged 18–35 for three-month training placements in historic workshops.
Opening details
The Salone dell'Alto Artigianato Italiano 2026 opens daily from 1 to 4 October 2026 at the Arsenale di Venezia. Further information is available at saloneartigianato.venezia.it.
