In the heart of Garbatella, a historic Roman neighborhood founded in the early 20th century based on the garden city model, DAI – District of Art and Image comes to life as a project that weaves together urban memory and contemporary creativity. In a community of over 43,000 residents, Garbatella has evolved into a vibrant cultural ecosystem, becoming a hub for artists, galleries, universities, and a lively evening scene.

DAI emerges organically from this fertile ground, responding to a cultural vocation already embedded in the social and architectural fabric of the area. By connecting many of the neighborhood’s art galleries, the District fosters visual culture through collective projects, widespread exhibitions, and partnerships between independent spaces and institutions.

But DAI is more than just a container: it is a driving force, a catalyst for both local and international initiatives, engaging the public and opening new dialogues between artists and audiences.

Echoing the spirit of the original Garbatella – envisioned as a human-centered ideal city – DAI renews that vision, transforming art into a tool for cohesion, identity, and openness. A dynamic platform where image becomes a shared language and the neighborhood itself turns into an open-air gallery.