The Istituto Del Design di Matera is an AFAM (Alta Formazione Artistica, Musicale e Coreutica, i.e. Higher Education in Art, Music and Dance) institution authorised by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) to issue the Level 1 Academic Diploma in Design (class DAPL06 equivalent to the L3 degree class – Law no. 228/12, art. 1, paragraphs 102 to 107), valid in Italy and abroad, which allows access to national and international second level training courses, such as master’s degrees and masters.

The IDD is headquartered in Matera, one of the oldest cities in the world, since 1993, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and European Capital of Culture in 2019. Since the 1950s, it has been an important place of experimentation, innovation, and attraction of great filmmakers and artists, and is now one of Europe’s leading cities of art. Matera is located at the center not only of the southern Italian area but also of the Mediterranean area, highlighting the richness and diversity of cultures – of which it constitutes a crossroads – as well as the shared characteristics, increasing the sense of belonging of European citizens and promoting culture as a tool for the city development. This has resulted in international visibility while developing connections and partnerships at European level.

Matera is also an emblem of a complex and extraordinary territorial system that, by necessity, has been able to rationally and sustainably manage the scarce natural resources available. An ancient culture of living that has maintained a balanced relationship with its natural environment over the centuries, contributing in the international scenario to the definition of a sustainable and resilient city, characterised by circular and symbiotic processes, typical of the circular economy.
Matera is located in a territory that features, among other things, the coexistence of a rich tradition of craftsmanship, particularly for wood and tub processing, an ancient material culture and an important industrial production in the furniture sector, concentrated mainly in the Murge area – the sofa industry.

Matera is constantly animated within the ancient urban core of the Sassi by numerous artistic and cultural events having an international echo.

IDD, vision and perspectives

The IDD contributes, through its artistic high-training activity, to develop an innovative strategic vision for the city and for the whole territory, creating skills and employment, enhancing innovation, trying to avoid the departure of young people from the city and the South of Italy and offering new employment prospects also to young people from all over Europe, especially in the production chains intertwined with creativity.

• ● The IDD has therefore entered into numerous Memorandums of Understanding and forms of collaboration with Institutions, Public and Private Entities, National and International Associations and Cultural Institutions, Companies, Professional Studios and Craft Laboratories, enriching its artistic production and research with increasingly important content.
• ● The IDD has organised educational labs and workshops, involving other entities, companies and craft laboratories.
• ● IDD has promoted several exhibitions for the presentation of productions by companies, artisans and designers, involving students in the design and construction of exhibition displays.
• ● The IDD has activated the internship, orientation and internship service for inclusion in the world of work.
• ● The IDD is a member of the AIAP, Associazione italiana di design della comunicazione visiva, i.e. the Italian Association of Visual Communication Design.
• ● The IDD is a member of the ADI, Associazione del Design Industriale, i.e. Industrial Design Association, with which it has close and continuous relations, in particular with the ADI regional territorial delegation of Puglia and Basilicata.
• The IDD cooperates with the Sassi Foundation, carrying out projects for an increasing enhancement of the local artistic and historical heritage.