MACAY Museum Faces Closure Amidst Controversy

The Museum of Contemporary Art Ateneo de Yucatan (MACAY) appears to be on the brink of closure, according to local artist Rosario Guillermo. While an official announcement has not been made, the cultural community of Yucatan is bracing for this outcome. The concern has grown following the resignation of Rafael Perez y Perez, who served as the museum's director for over five years. Perez y Perez revealed his departure on social media, expressing his failed attempts to stop the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and the Secretariat of Culture and the Arts of Yucatan from taking over the Peninsular Ateneo, the building that housed MACAY.

The fate of MACAY's collection is uncertain, with no current provisions for its display or preservation. Guillermo noted that the final pieces were removed from the Peninsular Ateneo in November, due to restoration work on the building. The artist criticized the former governor of Yucatan, Mauricio Vila, for his neglect of the museum, and called on the new government to defend it. Guillermo revealed that the MACAY Cultural Foundation, responsible for the museum's management and preservation, has dissolved due to the museum's impending closure.

The artist also shared that the museum's final employees were let go after the artwork was moved. There have been discussions about dedicating a portion of the Peninsular Ateneo to MACAY, but no firm agreements have been made.

Guillermo emphasized that the primary concern for Yucatan's artists and cultural community is to prevent the closure of MACAY, rather than reclaim the Peninsular Ateneo, which is now under INAH control. She expressed frustration at the lack of action to address this issue, as the state government has shown no interest in preserving MACAY or creating a new space for contemporary art.

The future of the museum's collections remains unknown. While private collections have been removed, other donated collections are still at risk. The INAH has yet to comment on the situation.