CGAC director selection sparks crisis: 1,000+ sign protest manifesto
The Centro Galego de Arte Contemporánea (CGAC) is facing a crisis following the announcement from the Xunta de Galicia's Consellería de Cultura that the role of museum director will be appointed from among career civil servants. A manifesto, signed by over 1,000 art professionals and spearheaded by the Asociación Cultural Vegliota, condemns this move as a threat to institutional independence. It highlights a decline over the past decade, marked by the removal of essential roles and the loss of a 300-work deposit in 2014. With Decree 146/2024 incorporating CGAC into the Consellería's framework and replacing the Patronato with an advisory Consejo Asesor, the Order of April 3, 2026, is perceived as a move toward eroding CGAC's autonomy. Signatories are calling for the annulment of the current selection process in favor of transparency.
Key facts
- CGAC director position to be filled by free designation among career civil servants only
- Over 1,000 art professionals signed a manifesto by Asociación Cultural Vegliota
- Manifesto cites ICOM standards for open, inclusive museums
- In 2009, Communication position eliminated; in 2016, chief conservator posts cut
- In 2014, CGAC lost deposit of 300 works from Colección Fundación ARCO (90,000 euros/year)
- Decree 146/2024 integrated CGAC into Consellería, replacing Patronato with advisory Consejo Asesor
- In 2024, a solo exhibition occupied the museum for nine months
- Order of April 3, 2026 (DOG nº 64) seen as final step to dismantle independence
- Supporting statements from USC, Mesa Sectorial, A Colectiva, and Faculty of Fine Arts of Vigo
- Demand: annul current call and open transparent process per Documento Cero (2007)
Entities
Institutions
- Centro Galego de Arte Contemporánea (CGAC)
- Consellería de Cultura, Lingua e Xuventude
- Xunta de Galicia
- Asociación Cultural Vegliota
- ICOM (Consejo Internacional de Museos)
- Colección Fundación ARCO
- Ministerio de Cultura
- USC (Universidade de Santiago de Compostela) Department of Art History
- Mesa Sectorial del Arte Contemporáneo
- ADACE
- Consorcio de Galerías
- Federación de Gestores Culturales
- IAC (Instituto de Arte Contemporáneo)
- MAV (Mujeres en las Artes Visuales)
- UAC (Unión de Artistas Contemporáneos)
- A Colectiva (Asociación Profesional de Artistas de Galicia)
- Facultad de Bellas Artes de Vigo
- exibart.es
Locations
- Galicia
- Spain
- Santiago de Compostela
- Vigo