ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

MEIS Museum of Italian Judaism and Shoah Opens in Ferrara with Three Exhibitions

exhibition · 2026-05-05

On December 14, 2017, the MEIS – Museo dell’Ebraismo Italiano e della Shoah in Ferrara was inaugurated, featuring the exhibition "Ebrei, una storia italiana. I primi mille anni," alongside the multimedia presentation "Con gli occhi degli Ebrei italiani," and a renovated prison structure. Founded by the Italian Parliament in 2003, the museum received €50 million in funding from MiBACT. Construction of permanent facilities, designed by Studio Arco and –SCAPE S.p.A, is set to commence in 2018, encompassing nearly 8,000 sqm. The exhibition, curated by Anna Foa, Giancarlo Lacerenza, and Daniele Jalla, will be available until September 2018, displaying 200 items, including artifacts and replicas. Simonetta Della Seta directs the museum, which aspires to serve as a cultural center for Judaism.

Key facts

  • MEIS opened December 14, 2017 with three exhibitions
  • Museum established by Italian Parliament in 2003 with unanimous vote
  • Supported by MiBACT with €50 million public investment
  • Permanent architecture designed by Studio Arco and –SCAPE S.p.A, won 2011 competition
  • Five volumes evoking Torah, nearly 8,000 sqm, construction starts 2018
  • Exhibition 'Ebrei, una storia italiana. I primi mille anni' runs until September 2018
  • Curated by Anna Foa, Giancarlo Lacerenza, Daniele Jalla
  • About 200 works including authentic artifacts and 1:1 catacomb reconstructions
  • Exhibition installed by GTRF Tortelli Frassoni Architetti Associati
  • Museum directed by Simonetta Della Seta, presided by Dario Disegni
  • Minister Franceschini announced increased funding and private partnerships
  • Intesa Sanpaolo is an early private partner

Entities

Artists

  • Anna Foa
  • Giancarlo Lacerenza
  • Daniele Jalla
  • Giovanni Tortelli
  • Roberto Frassoni
  • Simonetta Della Seta
  • Dario Disegni
  • Dario Franceschini

Institutions

  • MEIS – Museo dell’Ebraismo Italiano e della Shoah
  • MiBACT
  • Studio Arco
  • –SCAPE S.p.A
  • GTRF Tortelli Frassoni Architetti Associati
  • Intesa Sanpaolo
  • Italian Parliament
  • Camera
  • Senato
  • Museo Nazionale dell'Ebraismo Italiano e della Shoah
  • Meis
  • Ministero dei Beni e delle Attività Culturali
  • Scape
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Ferrara
  • Italy
  • Rome
  • Bologna
  • Jerusalem
  • Italia
  • Via Piangipane, 79-83
  • Darsena

Sources