In 2010 the m.a.x. museo became a public institution of the Municipality of Chiasso, part of the Centro Culturale Chiasso, a member of ICOM (International Council of Museums) and, since 2020, of the MAM Network, Mendrisiotto Art Museums.
The m.a.x. museo’s mission is to disseminate a knowledge of graphics, design, photography and contemporary visual communication. The term “graphic design” refers to the field of artistic production devoted to the design and creation of visual communication products, in particular graphic design and graphic art (or historical graphic design).
The m.a.x. museo’s aspiration is to build a bridge between the past and the new generations of graphic artists and designers.
The museum is close to the Cinema Teatro and Spazio Officina, a position enabling it to create close ties between the principal cultural facilities in this border town. At the same time it constitutes a new and important Chiasso Cultural Centre with exhibitions and theatrical events that are international in outlook and scope.
The programming of events at the Spazio Officina concerns more generally the arts and contemporary culture, which aim at experimentation and work in progress. These are, in all cases, closely related to the activities of the m.a.x. museo.
On April the 3rd 2019, the Centro Culturale Chiasso received a prestigious award from the Swiss Foundation for the Doron Prize in Zug. The prize was awarded for the “excellent cultural offer” promoted by the town.
The museum
The work of architects Pia Durisch and Aldo Nolli, the m.a.x. museo is characterised by large, bright, neutral and simple spaces, so as to leave maximum visibility for the contents. The architects designed it with exhibitions specifically related to graphics and design in mind.
The façade of the m.a.x. museum is a vast, translucent showcase. In the evening, the gap in the façade makes the interior visible and gives light to the city like a “lantern”.
