Fondazione Elpis in Milan has appointed Marcella Ferrari as its new director, effective April 2026, marking a new phase for the foundation founded by Marina Nissim in 2020. Ferrari plans to expand the foundation's spaces in Porta Romana with the addition of Villa and Atelier Elpis alongside the existing Lavanderia, creating a constellation of venues for residencies, production, education, and public programs. She emphasizes listening to staff, artists, curators, and the local community, while strengthening international relations and developing projects that connect artistic production with public space and contemporary research.
This appointment matters because it signals a strategic evolution for Fondazione Elpis as it seeks to become a more open, dialogic institution in Milan's cultural landscape. Ferrari's background in public art production brings a focus on site-specific, relational projects that engage communities, potentially positioning the foundation as a model for integrating contemporary art with urban life. Her emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and international exchange could also enhance Milan's role as a hub for emerging artistic practices and public art initiatives.