Fondazione Nazionale della Danza / Aterballetto

In Reggio Emilia’s cultural landscape, the Fondazione Nazionale della Danza / Aterballetto is one of the most dynamic and internationally recognized centres of artistic excellence.
Established in 2003 on the initiative of the Emilia-Romagna Region and the Municipality of Reggio Emilia, the Foundation has its roots in the historic Aterballetto company, founded in 1977 and now considered as one of the most prestigious names in Italian contemporary dance.

The link with the city is deep and tangible: the Foundation is based in the evocative Fonderia, a former early 20th-century industrial space transformed into a modern creative centre.
Here, amidst large rehearsal rooms and spaces dedicated to artistic production, a dance is born every day that engages with the present and looks to the future.

Reggio Emilia thus becomes a real international dance laboratory, where choreographers and artists from all over the world come together to create innovative performances, artistic residencies and interdisciplinary projects.
The Foundation is not only a company, but a vibrant cultural centre that promotes dance as an accessible, inclusive experience capable of engaging the community.

Over the years, Aterballetto has taken the name of Reggio Emilia to the most important international theatres and festivals, helping to spread Italian artistic excellence throughout the world.
The prestige of its dancers and its collaborations with internationally renowned choreographers make every production a unique experience, capable of moving audiences from all cultural backgrounds.

The most significant recognition came in 2022, when the Foundation became Italy’s first National Choreographic Centre, confirming its status as the definitive reference point for contemporary dance in the country and across Europe.

Visiting Reggio Emilia also means discovering this extraordinary creative hub: attending a performance, taking part in an event or just visiting the Fonderia allows you to engage with an art form in constant motion, capable of telling the story of the world through the universal language of the body.

Find out more at:
Aterballetto National Choreographic Centre