m.a.x. museo
The m.a.x. museo in Chiasso is dedicated to graphic art, design, photography and visual communication, and presents changing exhibitions in a new building by Durisch + Nolli.
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About the museum
The m.a.x. museo is part of the Centro Culturale Chiasso, the cultural centre of the border town in southern Ticino. In 2010 it became a public institution of the municipality of Chiasso and joined the International Council of Museums ICOM the same year; since 2020 it has been part of the Rete MAM network, the art museums of the Mendrisiotto. The name stands for "museum", "art" and the unknown "x", which refers to graphic art, an often neglected art form.
The building is by the architects Pia Durisch and Aldo Nolli. It consists of spacious, bright and deliberately neutral rooms designed for exhibitions on graphic art and design; the façade is a large, translucent display case that glows like a lantern in the evening. In the immediate neighbourhood are the Cinema Teatro, the Spazio Officina and the International Centre for Art and Graphics CIAG.
The programme consists of changing exhibitions in several cycles, for example on major designers of the 20th century, historical graphics, advertising and graphic design, and photography, each accompanied by a scholarly catalogue. In addition, the museum maintains its own collection of graphics, design, photography and visual communication, which also includes donations and the historical collection of the city of Chiasso, and it carries out research, continuing education and a wide range of educational programmes.
Highlights
- Changing exhibitions on graphic art, design and photography
- New building by Pia Durisch and Aldo Nolli with a glowing glass façade
- Collection on graphics, design, photography and visual communication
- Creative workshops for children and adults following the method of Bruno Munari
- Joint ticket with the neighbouring Spazio Officina
- Operated by
- Città di Chiasso – Centro Culturale Chiasso
- Director
- Nicoletta Ossanna Cavadini
- Visitors per year
- approx. 8,266
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 7AHV, IV, over 65, students, TCS, TCI, FAI and other partner organisations |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 7 · Children up to 7 years have free admission. |
| Seniors | CHF 7AHV, over 65 |
| Visitors with disabilities | CHF 7companion free · IV |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 7 |
| Groups (15+ people) | CHF 5 per personSchool classes of 15 or more pupils CHF 5 per person; groups and associations CHF 100 flat rate with a free guided tour (up to 25 people, CHF 5 for each additional person). |
| Combined ticket m.a.x. museo + Spazio Officina | CHF 12reduced for AHV, IV, students, TCS, TCI, FAI |
| Guided tour for groups outside opening hours, weekends and public holidays (Italian) | CHF 150flat rate for up to 25 people, CHF 5 for each additional person |
| Guided tour for groups in German, French or English | CHF 180flat rate for up to 25 people, CHF 5 for each additional person |
Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of every month.
Half price with the Chiasso Card. Free admission with the Raiffeisen card, Swiss Museum Pass, ICOM, Visarte, Aiap, the Association of Friends of the m.a.x. museo, AG Kultur, and for journalists and companions of people with disabilities. With SBB RailAway, 30 percent discount on admission when travelling by train (to be purchased in advance). On request, a 45-minute guided tour is included in the price.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
For visitors with physical limitations, a lift, a wheelchair and folding stools are available to borrow.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 7 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Kids’ birthday parties
Creative workshops for children, young people and adults following the method of Bruno Munari (about two hours, with an active tour) as well as "Famiglie al museo" events for families. Children's birthday parties with a workshop and celebration last about two hours and take place at weekends or on Wednesday afternoons.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bahnhof Chiasso · 10-min walk
By train to the international station Chiasso (Gotthard line), then about 10 minutes on foot. City buses AMSA lines 1, 2 and 511, Como bus CC1 and PostBus 513, 515 and 517 connect Chiasso with the surrounding area.
By car
Free parking · 4-min walk to the entrance
Free in the Ellipticum car park (level -2), 4 minutes' walk from the museum; the parking ticket must be validated at the museum ticket desk.
By car via the A2 (exit Chiasso centro) or from Italy via the A9 and the Brogeda border crossing, first exit Chiasso. On foot from Piazza del Comune into Via Vincenzo Vela and left into Via Dante Alighieri.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
Bookshop at the entrance with books, gift items, toys and postcards; coffee machine at the entrance. Backpacks and bags are not allowed in the exhibition rooms; a cloakroom and lockers are provided.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | 45-minute guided tours are available on request and must be booked at least ten days in advance at info@maxmuseo.ch. School classes can register for visits outside opening hours; workshops for schools (CHF 10 per pupil) mostly take place Tuesday to Friday mornings, with registration at least seven to ten days in advance at eventi@maxmuseo.ch. |
