The Palazzo Riso's architecture clearly shows the final days of Sicilian Baroque as it was transformed into Neoclassicism.

Designed by the architect Giuseppe Venanzio Marvuglia, the house was constructed at the end of the 18th century and completed in 1784.

It became property of the Prince of Belmonte, and in the 19th century it passed to Baron Riso.

The marble Riso coat of arms on the portal of the palazzo was carved by Ignazio Marabitti.

The museum collects works by contemporary artists including Andrea Di Marco, Alessandro Bazan, Giovanni Anselmo, Emilio Isgrò, Domenico Mangano, Antonio Sanfilippo, Carla Accardi, Christian Boltanski, Croce Taravella, Francesco De Grandi, Francesco Simeti, Fulvio Di Piazza, Giulia Piscitelli, Laboratorio Saccardi, Luca Vitone, Paola Pivi, Pietro Consagra, Richard Long, Richard T. Scott, and Salvo.