Join Bob as he interviews Dr. Joseph Scelsa the founder and president of the Italian-American Museum to be completed in Oct 2021.
Professor Joseph V. Scelsa, (a Bronx native) received his doctorate in Sociology and Education from Columbia University Teachers College, his dissertation topic being “Constructive Pluralism”. In addition, he holds three Masters’ degrees in Sociology, Social Studies and Counseling. He is a licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York State.
In 1984, Prof. Scelsa was appointed Director of the Italian American Institute of The City University of New York which was renamed the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute after the late State Senator John D. Calandra in 1987. On March 1, 1999, Prof. Scelsa was named Dean of the Calandra Italian American Institute and elevated to Full Professor. In October 2000, Dr. Scelsa was named acting Vice President for Institutional Development at Queens College, CUNY and on July 1, 2005, he was appointed Vice President for Outreach and Cultural Affairs at Queens College, CUNY. Prof. Scelsa as Dean of the Calandra Institute created and served is Executive Producer and Host of ITALICS: The Italian-American Magazine which is co-produced by the Calandra Institute and CUNY-TV; seen on cable stations throughout the United States.
In 2001, Prof. Scelsa founded the Italian American Museum and currently serves as its president.
Prof. Scelsa has authored and edited several books and has written various articles and reports on ethnicity, pluralism and education, notable the report on the Italian-American High School Student Drop-Out Rate in the New York City Schools (New York Times, May 1, 1990). In 1997, Prof. Scelsa contributed an essay entitled, “The 80th Street Mafia” in Beyond the Godfather published by the National Italian American Foundation. Prof. Scelsa was the historical consultant for A&E’s documentary, The Italians in America. Prof. Scelsa is considered an expert in Italian-American affairs; he teaches and lectures extensively in Italian-Americans Studies and specializes in Italian-Americans and Civil Rights.
The Italian American Museum, located in Little Italy since 2007, is about to embark on a major project that will quadruple its size at its current location. But it is more than a physical expansion. It is an endeavor to ensure that Little Italy will have a permanent anchor institution that will preserve and promote not only the neighborhood, but the legacy of Italians in America from Peter Caesar Alberti in 1635 to present-day immigrants who continue to seek opportunity on these shores.
The Museum’s mission will also be to celebrate modern-day Italian culture with exhibitions and programs that feature artists, authors and thinkers from Italy.
The Museum’s historic location on the corner of Mulberry and Grand Streets once housed the Banca Stabile which was founded by Francesco Rosario Stabile in 1885. During its heyday, the bank offered newly arrived immigrants much more than financial services. It was a link for the immigrants in the United States with their relatives in Italy. In addition to a full range of banking services, it also provided the following services: telegraph, travel via steam ships, import-export, notary public, and post office; in essence, a community nexus. The Museum intends to re-establish this “hub” of activity–on a cultural level.
With construction beginning in early 2018 and slated for completion in 2021, the new Italian American Museum will encompass four levels in a new structure located on Mulberry St. It will feature a majestic street- level entrance, four levels for permanent and temporary exhibitions, and an auditorium for film screenings, lectures, presentations, meetings and theatrical, music and dance performances.
