The State Government inaugurates the new headquarters of the Rio Grande do Sul Museum of Contemporary Art in Porto Alegre

Governor Eduardo Leite inaugurated on Thursday (August 14) the new headquarters of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Rio Grande do Sul (MAC RS), in the 4th District of Porto Alegre. In addition to the governor, the ceremony to hand over the space, a fully renovated 500-square-meter (m²) industrial warehouse and a garden of over 1,800 m², was attended by the Secretary of Culture, Eduardo Loureiro and the Secretary of Public Works, Izabel Matte, guests, the cultural community and the press.

New art and culture hub

Named "MAC RS no 4D" (in reference to the 4th District), the building is located at 256 Comendador Azevedo Street in the Floresta neighborhood. The facilities include galleries, an area for educational activities, an administrative department, and a restaurant operation. The state invested over R$5 million through the Avançar na Cultura program, run by the Secretariat of Culture (Sedac).

When highlighting the importance of the new space, Governor Eduardo Leite emphasized the symbolism of the delivery after more than three decades of waiting.

"Bringing MAC to the 4th District was to transform the region linked to the creative economy into a hub of art and culture," says Leite -

Photo: Vitor Rosa/Secom

"We're talking about a museum being handed over after 33 years. The Museum of Contemporary Art operated in a more limited space within the Mário Quintana Cultural Center, and everyone involved in this type of art yearned to have their own headquarters. The government's decision was to bring the Museum of Contemporary Art to the 4th District, investing R$5 million to transform this location into an arts and culture hub in an area undergoing a process of reconversion to the creative economy, even after the impacts of the floods. I am convinced that this space will be an important cultural and economic driver for Porto Alegre and Rio Grande do Sul," said Leite.

Investments in culture

The Secretary of Culture, Eduardo Loureiro, reinforced that the inauguration crowns a collective effort spanning decades and is part of a significant set of investments by the State in culture.

"It's a historic project, the result of over 30 years of dreaming and hard work by many people, which found in Governor Eduardo Leite and Secretary Bia the support and sensitivity to make it happen. In the cultural sector alone, we have projects underway totaling over R$110 million in facilities such as the Júlio de Castilhos Museum, the Public Library, the Mario Quintana Cultural Center, and the São Pedro Theater, in addition to development programs totaling over R$230 million. This is only possible because the state has regained its investment capacity, and culture is undoubtedly one of the pillars of Rio Grande do Sul's development," declared Loureiro.

Secretary of Public Works Izabel Matte emphasized that a museum is not just a building housing works of art, but also a place that fosters intergenerational encounters, knowledge, and artistic expression. "Here, we will have more than just a space to house and preserve objects. The new MAC headquarters is an environment that fosters processes, relationships, and interactions," she stated.

Even with new headquarters, MAC will continue to have spaces at Casa de Cultura Mario Quintana, where it was located for more than 30 years -

Photo: Vitor Rosa/Secom

Special attractions at the premiere

As part of the opening program, the exhibition "Três Casas" (Three Houses), by visual artist Nuno Ramos, debuts at the space. The first edition of "Conversas de Casa" (Home Talks), a project that brings together audiences, producers, and other cultural agents to share insights into the behind-the-scenes production of the works and other aspects of the exhibitions, also took place on Thursday (August 13). The artist and the curator of the inaugural exhibition, André Severo, participated in this event, with the Museum's director as moderator.

The program concluded with activities in the Sculpture Garden: the launch of the fourth edition of the Contemporary Collector's Club, curated by Vera Chaves Barcellos and featuring works by artists Begoña Egurbide, Clóvis Dariano, Leopoldo Plentz, Marina Camargo and Vera herself; and the inauguration of the new board of directors of the Friends of MAC RS Association for the 2025/2026 biennium.

A museum with two headquarters

For over 30 years, MAC RS was housed solely in the Casa de Cultura Mario Quintana (CCMQ). In this new phase, the institution consolidates itself as a museum with two locations, which will coexist with a single mission: to preserve and disseminate its legacy, encourage the production of contemporary art, and critically debate the role of art in society.

"While the spaces at CCMQ will continue to serve as a stage for emerging artists from the state, new curators, and innovative initiatives, the 4th District facilities bring with them intriguing challenges. A true 'white cube,' a page ready to have its story written," explains MAC RS director Adriana Boff. She further emphasizes that the new headquarters is located in a territory rich in layers of struggles, transformations, and resignifications, contributing to the debate on the social role of the museum in contemporary times.

Spanning 500 m², MAC RS in 4D features galleries, an area for educational activities, an administrative department, and a restaurant. In addition to the built-up area, a garden complements the setting with sculptures from the collection, including a reflecting pool and two restored trams, which will serve as a multipurpose space. The landscaping and interior design highlight the local vegetation. Accessibility features have been developed in both the exhibition and leisure areas, allowing all audiences to enjoy the experience.

New facilities include galleries, an area for educational activities, an administrative sector and a gastronomic operation -

Photo: Vitor Rosa/Secom

Opening exhibition

"Three Houses," by visual artist Nuno Ramos, is MAC RS's first 4D exhibition. The show features three life-size replicas of houses immersed in mud pools inside the main gallery. The proposal combines the artist's personal memories with reflections on the 2024 flood that severely impacted the region where the new headquarters is located, inviting the public to reflect on the relationship between humans and the power of nature.

The choice of Nuno Ramos for this inauguration takes into account his connection with MAC RS and the capital of Rio Grande do Sul. Nuno is the author of one of the first works incorporated by the institution, exhibited numerous times over the years.

"It's an honor to inaugurate the Museum. Porto Alegre has closely followed my journey and welcomed the best of me over the years. When the 2024 floods hit, I felt the need to be closer, so I immediately mobilized and went to the city. The impact I had on what I saw at that moment was profound," said Ramos.

Memory reinterpreted in art

The artist believes that, in this way, the institution opens its doors signaling its vocation to debate major national and urban issues, in the political and ecological dimension.

According to curator André Severo, when presented in the post-flood context, the work proposes a reflection on the memories of that moment and the need to recognize the losses and the possibilities of what lies ahead.

"The immersed houses [in the exhibition] cease to be just those of the artist and become those we saw in the images of the catastrophe. It is not a merely descriptive or documentary work, it is in a way a ritual that transforms the gallery into a projection," he adds.

At the new headquarters, visually impaired people will be able to guide themselves and appreciate the place through descriptive audio guides -

Photo: Vitor Rosa/Secom

MAC RS Accessible: Art for Everyone

Fulfilling its role as a public institution, the Museum aims to be a space open to all. This translates into its artwork acquisition policy, which prioritizes representation, and its accessibility initiatives. Thus, the MAC RS Accessible project provides a multisensory experience during visits, enhancing the visitor experience.

At the new headquarters, visually impaired visitors will be able to navigate and appreciate the site using descriptive audio guides, as well as maps, flooring, and touch-friendly pieces. Texts in enlarged font and Braille will ensure readability for different visual needs. For the deaf and hard of hearing, content will be available in Libras, displayed via video.

Furthermore, to facilitate understanding of the texts and topics covered, materials in easy-to-read writing and pictograms will be arranged according to the exhibits. In addition to these resources, the warehouse renovation was designed to create a museum without architectural barriers, promoting physical accessibility.

Partnerships

The construction of the new MAC RS headquarters in 4D is in partnership with the Association of Friends of MAC RS (AAMACRS), sponsored by Itaú, Tintas Killing and Vulcabras, through the Culture Incentive Law, and supported by Alibem, TecBril and Trinca.

The Museum's new headquarters is free to visit. Guided activities can be scheduled.

Photo: Vitor Rosa/Secom

Service

The Museum's new headquarters can be visited free of charge:

• Tuesday to Friday, from 12pm to 6pm;
• Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from 10am to 6pm.

Guided tours can be requested by scheduling an appointment online or by emailing [email protected]. There is no parking available.

^{Text: Pedro Neves and Sara Goldschmidt/Ascom Sedac}