RavennArte is a voluntary cultural association established in 1998 in Ravenna. Its interest and sensitivity with regard to the art of mosaics have accompanied the Association's activities in the field of the visual arts right from its birth. Two events have been particularly significant for the city of Ravenna: an exhibition featuring works by Ravenna mosaic artists entitled "Tesserae" and an exhibition of works by students of the Istituto d'Arte per il mosaico entitled "After".

The need to promote the world of mosaics and, in particular, the trend set by contemporary mosaic artists applying the Byzantine technique (which flourishes in Ravenna, for centuries the cradle of this ancient technique), led the Association to promote an international youth mosaic competition.

RavennArte and the art school ISA Severini, in organising this event together, set themselves the target of stimulating research and experimentation and creating a specific identity of national and international youth mosaics.

The International Youth Mosaic Competition "Città di Ravenna" perfectly suits these new perspectives and, thanks to co-operation with the "Gino Severini" art school and the patronage of the Environmental and Architectural Heritage Service of the Province of Ravenna and the Municipality of Ravenna, it will increasingly enhance mosaic techniques and at the same time promote the special nature of Ravenna's mosaics worldwide.