ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Italian Museums Open on May Day with Special Exhibitions and Events

festival-fair · 2026-04-27

On May 1, 2023, Italian state museums and archaeological parks will welcome visitors, breaking their usual Monday closure, and providing free or special access. However, a general strike by Usi Cit may lead to alterations in the schedule. Notable events include: free admission to Museo Madre in Naples for 'Think Tank: REPRODUCTIVE AGENTS'; exhibitions on Giacomo Ceruti and Luigi Basiletti at Fondazione Brescia Musei; extended hours for 'Fotoromanzo Testori Immagini di una vita' at Casa Testori; Mario Ceroli's designs at Castello di Semivicoli until May 2; MARV's 'Schiaminossi Incisore. 1572-1622'; the 10th anniversary concert 'Uno Maggio Libero e Pensante' in Taranto; guided tours and 'Oltre il buio' at Rocca di Angera; Felice Casorati at Fondazione Magnani-Rocca; Messiaen's performance at Palazzo Farnese; and Letizia Battaglia's retrospective at Palazzo Ducale.

Key facts

  • Italian state museums and archaeological parks open on May 1, 2023, despite usual Monday closure.
  • General strike by Usi Cit may affect museum hours.
  • Museo Madre in Naples offers free entry for final day of 'Think Tank: REPRODUCTIVE AGENTS' curated by Florencia Cherñajovsky.
  • Pedro Neves Marques' film 'The Bite' screens in loop at Museo Madre.
  • Fondazione Brescia Musei shows works by Giacomo Ceruti and Luigi Basiletti.
  • Casa Testori extends hours for 'Fotoromanzo Testori' celebrating Giovanni Testori's centenary.
  • Mario Ceroli's furniture designs inspired by Giorgio De Chirico at Castello di Semivicoli until May 2.
  • MARV in Gradara exhibits 150 engravings by Raffaello Schiaminossi until May 21.
  • Taranto's 'Uno Maggio Libero e Pensante' concert celebrates 10 years with Diodato, Roy Paci, Michele Riondino.
  • Rocca di Angera hosts guided tour and 'Oltre il buio' contemporary art show curated by Alberto Salvadori.
  • Fondazione Magnani-Rocca presents Felice Casorati exhibition and chamber music by Quartetto Luigi Magnani.
  • Palazzo Farnese opens for Domus Artium concert of Messiaen's 'Quartet for the End of Time' on April 30.
  • Palazzo Ducale in Genoa holds Letizia Battaglia retrospective curated by Paolo Falcone with over 100 photos.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Museo Madre
  • Fondazione Brescia Musei
  • Museo di Santa Giulia
  • Ateneo di Brescia
  • Casa Testori
  • Associazione Giovanni Testori
  • Castello di Semivicoli
  • Masciarelli Tenute Agricole
  • MARV – Museo d’Arte Rubini Vesin di Gradara
  • Fondazione Magnani-Rocca
  • Palazzo Farnese
  • Ambasciata di Francia presso lo Stato italiano
  • Domus Artium
  • Palazzo Ducale Genova
  • Palazzo Ducale Fondazione per la Cultura Genova
  • Civita Mostre e Musei
  • Archivio Letizia Battaglia
  • Fondazione Falcone per le Arti
  • Galleria Franco Noero
  • Terre Borromeo sul Lago Maggiore
  • Milanoguida
  • Usi Cit (Unione Sindacale Italiana – Confederation International de los Trabajadores)
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Italy
  • Naples
  • Brescia
  • Novate Milanese
  • Milan
  • Casacanditella
  • Chieti
  • Gradara
  • Pesaro e Urbino
  • Marche
  • Taranto
  • Angera
  • Lake Maggiore
  • Traversetolo
  • Parma
  • Rome
  • Genoa
  • Sansepolcro
  • Cagli

Sources