Now coming of age, the MACBA (The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art) is planning to grow, along with other establishments in the Raval area. The future goal is to create the cultural hub of Barcelona.
The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art is going to grow in order to widen its appeal and influence in the Raval. On the museum’s 18th birthday, it plans to grow to 1,800m2 and organise new activities, in order to attract up to 15% more visitors.
The MACBA in 2015
The most important building to be affected will be the Convent dels Angels, the former location of the FAD (Foundation in Art and Design) which is now totally integrated in the MACBA.
The Convent dels Angels will bring two new exhibition rooms to the museum, as well as the famous Capella. It’s a way of increasing the amount of space for temporary exhibitions and performances.
Richard Meier, creator of the MACBA, has given his permission for this real creative agora which will occupy the Plaza dels Angels, where the two buildings meet.
In the museum, the entrance will widen, the bookshop will change place and a new cafe-restaurant will be opened. In the Convent, La Capella will be opened to the square for new access.
The Centro de Estudios y Documentación (Centre of Studies and Documentation) will also join in with these changes with a significant renovation. A new media library, a lecture hall, work spaces and classrooms for students in the Independent Studies Programme will be the main new features.
The Cultural Hub of Barcelona
The CCCB (Centre of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona) will not remain isolated from the museum either, possibly being connected by the Patio of Sculptures of the MACBA.
Finally, the chapel on Mantalegre street could also get in on the project. The building, which currently marks out the old Convent of Mercy, would join in with that of Meier via a newly-built area of 3000m2.
With the completion of this megaproject, six public places in the Raval area will be connected, and the MACBA will provide a future cultural hub in the centre of Barcelona.
Artists, students and researchers will come together in the same space – a space open to art, culture and visitors.
