The Ago Foundation - Modena Cultural Factories is a Third Sector Entity: the founding members are the Municipality of Modena, the Modena Foundation, and the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. 

Ago offers a coordinated, original, and forward-looking cultural offer, allowing to increase the international projection of the Modena system, the growth of a knowledge and lifelong learning society, the enhancement of research and technology transfer, and the attraction of talents. The Ago Foundation collects the legacy of FMAV Modena Visual Arts Foundation and the three institutions merged into it, the Civic Gallery of Modena, the Modena Photography Foundation, and the Figurine Museum.

Commissioned in the 17th century by Francesco I d'Este as a "casino" - a place of entertainment for the Este Court - within the gardens of the Ducal Palace, the construction of the Palazzina is attributed to the architect Vigarani. Together with the park, it was donated a century later by the Duke to the citizens; over the years, it fell into disuse, until it became a greenhouse and tool shed in the 20th century. Towards the end of the 1970s, as part of a plan to enhance the historic center promoted by the Municipal Administration, the Palazzina was restored and returned to its original scenic function. A subsequent and recent conservative restoration has further enhanced the extraordinary quality of the spaces, the large windows, the spacious wall surfaces, and the heights, making the Palazzina an optimal place for internationally renowned exhibitions.