The dilemma of Catalan museums
The art historian Santos M. Mateos recently raised a crucial question on the X social network: are new museums needed in the Catalan museum scene when most of the existing ones are in a precarious situation?
Referring to new museums, Mateos was talking about the old Baroque Museum in Manresa and the Renaissance Museum in Molins de Rei, both with a national rather than a local focus. The first will open on February 21 and the second, if all goes well, in the fall.
During this year, other Catalan museums will also be in the news. The Morera Museum in Lleida will open a new building on April 20, while the Víctor Balaguer Museum in Vilanova i la Geltrú will reopen its doors after two years of closure in May.
In addition, the Vinseum in Vilafranca del Penedès will be expanded in the summer, and the National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona plans to have its new headquarters ready by the end of the year or perhaps as early as 2025.
While investments to improve the facilities that house the country’s historical collections are welcome, Mateos’ question remains pertinent: what will happen to these new or renovated museums if they lack sufficient funding and a team of professionals qualified to carry out their activities?
It is the responsibility of the administrations to ensure that these museums can develop programs of exhibitions, research and other activities in an appropriate way. Otherwise, the cultural heritage will simply be fossilized without being able to be appreciated and enjoyed by society.
