The Puerto Rico Museum of Contemporary Art, often abbreviated to MAC, is a
contemporary art
Contemporary art is the art of today, produced in the second half of the 20th century or in the 21st century. Contemporary artists work in a globally influenced, culturally diverse, and technologically advancing world. Their art is a dynamic c ...
museum
A museum ( ; plural museums or, rarely, musea) is a building or institution that cares for and displays a collection of artifacts and other objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or scientific importance. Many public museums make these ...
in
Santurce, Puerto Rico
Santurce (, from the Basque language, Basque ''Santurtzi'' which means Saint George) is a Barrios of San Juan, Puerto Rico, barrio or district in the municipality of San Juan, Puerto Rico, San Juan. Its population in 2020 was 69,469. It is also ...
.
History
The museum was founded by artists and sponsors of the
civil society
Civil society can be understood as the "third sector" of society, distinct from government and business, and including the family and the private sphere.[Plaza Las Américas
Plaza Las Américas is a shopping mall in Hato Rey, San Juan, Puerto Rico, located at the intersection of Routes 18 and 22. "''Plaza''", as it is known to many Puerto Ricans, was the first indoor shopping mall built in Puerto Rico. It is the ...]
and amongst offices of known contributors.
In 1988, the
University of the Sacred Heart granted the museum a provisional home free of charge at the Magdalena Sofía Barat building. After 15 years, the museum officially petitioned the government to grant them the Labra Historical Building in
Santurce. On October 20, 2002, the museum and Governor
Sila Calderón
Sila may refer to :
Places and jurisdictions
; Asia
* Silla, one of the three kingdoms of ancient Korea
* Sila, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
; Europe
* La Sila, a mountainous area of Calabria, Italy
** Sila National Park
* Siła, Warmian-M ...
signed a contract granting the museum the rights for the building.
Building
The museum building is called Rafael M. Labra Building. It was built in 1916 as part of a project from the Paul G. Miller Commission for the construction of
public schools in urban zones. The building was designed by architect Adrian C. Finlayson.
The building belonged to the Department of Public Education of Puerto Rico since its construction and in 1987 was registered as the Rafael M. Labra High School on the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...
of the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territo ...
government.
[ ]
The architecture is of
Georgian style
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1714 and 1830. It is named after the first four Monarchy of the United Kingdom, British monarchs of the House of Hano ...
that prevailed during the 18th century in
England. Its restoration was in charge of
Puerto Rican architect Otto Reyes Casanova and started from 1995 until 2002.
It is located about ten minutes walking distance from
La Placita de Santurce.
Collection
Today, the museum's collection consists of art from the mid-20th century to today from artists in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and Latin America, such as
Myrna Báez,
Daniel Lind-Ramos, and
Noemí Ruiz
Noemí Ruiz is a Puerto Rican painter, graphic artist and teacher. She is said to be a pioneer of abstraction in Puerto Rico. Her works can be found in many significant collections, and she has represented Puerto Rico in many international exhibit ...
.
Mac Web Site
Retrieved 7/29.19.
See also
* Museo de Arte de Ponce
Museo de Arte de Ponce (MAP) is an art museum located on Avenida Las Américas in Ponce, Puerto Rico.Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Tourism Company. Ven al Sur, page 20. San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2003. It houses a collection of European ...
References
External links
MAC Official Website
Escuela Superior Rafael M. Labra
at Enciclopedia de Puerto Rico
Escuela Rafael M. Labra
at Boriken365.com
{{Authority control
Art museums and galleries in Puerto Rico
Museums in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Contemporary art galleries in the United States
School buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Puerto Rico
National Register of Historic Places in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Art museums established in 1984
1984 establishments in Puerto Rico
Neoclassical architecture in Puerto Rico
School buildings completed in 1916
1916 establishments in Puerto Rico
Georgian Revival architecture in the United States