Claudia Marcelloni

Claudia Marcelloni
Name	Claudia Marcelloni
Occupation	Curator; Museum executive; Science communicator
Known for	International exhibitions; Science outreach

Claudia Marcelloni is an Italian curator and museum professional notable for leadership in science communication, exhibition development, and international cultural partnerships. She has worked across major institutions in Europe and North America, directing exhibitions that connect research organizations, cultural institutions, and public audiences. Marcelloni’s career spans collaborations with laboratories, museums, festivals, and foundations, bringing together stakeholders from science and the arts.

Early life and education

Born and raised in Italy, Marcelloni studied humanities and cultural management before moving into museum practice. Her formative training included programs associated with the University of Rome, postgraduate study with ties to the European Commission cultural initiatives, and internships at institutions such as the Vatican Museums and the Museo Nazionale Romano. Early mentoring and residencies connected her to networks at the European Organization for Nuclear Research and the Fondazione Prada, shaping a practice that bridged heritage institutions and contemporary research centers.

Career

Marcelloni’s professional trajectory includes roles as curator, project manager, and director within institutions that span science and culture. She held positions that connected the CERN community with public audiences, worked with exhibition teams at the Science Museum, London, and collaborated with curators at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni. Her portfolio features strategic partnerships with organizations such as the Smithsonian Institution, the British Council, and the Italian Cultural Institute, and she has contributed to program development for events like the Venice Biennale and the Festival della Scienza in Genoa. Her practice emphasizes multidisciplinary teams drawn from laboratories including European Space Agency projects, research universities such as Sapienza University of Rome and University College London, and cultural venues including the Tate Modern.

Major projects and exhibitions

Marcelloni has overseen and produced a number of high-profile exhibitions and traveling shows that interpret scientific research for broad audiences. Notable projects include collaborations linking particle physics narratives from CERN with design practices seen at venues like the Louvre and the Centre Pompidou, and exhibitions that paired biomedical research from hospitals affiliated with the Imperial College London with contemporary art from galleries such as the Guggenheim Museum. She coordinated touring exhibitions presented at the Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago), the Palace of Versailles cultural spaces, and festival platforms including the Edinburgh International Festival and SXSW. These projects often incorporated artifacts, interactive displays, and audiovisual commissions from studios associated with the Royal College of Art and technology partners including teams from MIT Media Lab and Fraunhofer Society.

Collaborations and affiliations

Throughout her career Marcelloni has forged affiliations with research institutions, foundations, and cultural agencies. She has worked closely with organizations such as UNESCO on outreach initiatives, partnered with funding bodies including the European Research Council, and coordinated donor relations involving trusts like the Wellcome Trust and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Her collaborative network includes curators from the Victoria and Albert Museum, scientists from the Max Planck Society, and producers linked to media outlets such as the BBC and National Geographic. She has served on advisory panels for conferences held by the World Economic Forum and symposia organized by the Royal Society.

Recognition and awards

Marcelloni’s contributions to public engagement and exhibition excellence have been recognized by awards and honors from professional bodies. She has been acknowledged in prizes administered by organizations including the International Council of Museums and received commendations from cultural ministries such as the Italian Ministry of Culture. Her projects have been shortlisted for awards by the European Museum Forum and featured in curated lists by publications associated with institutions like the New York Times cultural section and the Guardian arts desk. Peer recognition has come from panels convened by the Association of Science and Technology Centers and from industry festivals such as SXSW where innovation in exhibition practice is celebrated.

Personal life

Marcelloni maintains residences that facilitate her international work, dividing time between Rome and other cultural capitals. She participates in mentoring programs linked to universities including Bocconi University and community initiatives associated with nonprofits such as the Prince’s Trust. Outside of curatorial practice she engages with contemporary art and science writing, contributes to catalogues produced by presses like Thames & Hudson, and speaks at conferences organized by entities including the Hay Festival and the Royal Institution.

Category:Italian curators Category:Science communicators