MACBA Planning $2.7 Million Expansion

Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA) Photo: via Apartments Barcelona

The Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA) is planning to expand, Art In America reports. As part of the expansion plans the city will lend the neighboring Convent dels Àngels to the museum for an unspecified period together with the Plaça dels Angels square, which is located between the 16th century cloister and the museum.

Although MACBA has frequently used the chapel for performances and site-specific installations, by lending the additional 21,500 square foot space to the museum on a longterm basis, the city, “Reaffirms its commitment to making Barcelona one of the world capitals in contemporary art and culture,” according to its statement.

The projected cost of the expansion stands at $2.7 million. MACBA will contributing only about $675,000 or a quarter of the cost. The majority is to be donated by the city council.

Richard Meier architects, the designers of the museum’s primary glass and concrete structure, will provide guidance to a local team in order to execute the transformation. The first phase of the expansion will focus on enlarging the institution’s educational facilities and archive and will add additional entry points into the museum. Additional amenities such as a café and restaurant will follow.

The first exhibition in the new facilities, Nonument is scheduled to open on September 10. The exhibition curated by MACBA director Bartomeu Marí and local architect Josep Bohigas, which will occupy the two halls in the convent, will include commissioned works reflecting the “symbolic monument and public space.” In November, Israeli artist Sigalit Landau will show an installation in the Chapel. Meanwhile, the Plaça dels Angels will host outdoor performances, film screenings, and special events.


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