Inhotim's New Director Renata Bittencourt Aims to Strengthen Local Ties After Brumadinho Dam Collapse

Renata Bittencourt assumed the executive directorship of Instituto Inhotim in April, focusing on rebuilding community connections and boosting visitation after the January Brumadinho dam collapse. The open-air museum, spanning 140 hectares with gardens and pavilions dedicated to contemporary art, saw a significant drop in visitors this year despite not being directly damaged. Eighty percent of its 600 employees are local residents affected by the tragedy. Bittencourt, previously with the Instituto Brasileiro de Museus (Ibram) and the Ministry of Culture's Secretariat of Citizenship and Cultural Diversity, emphasizes two central challenges: intensifying local community engagement and inviting national and international audiences back. Programs like Nosso Inhotim offer free entry and discounted events for Brumadinho residents, with over 3,000 people registered in two months. The institute, a nonprofit recognized as a Public Interest Civil Society Organization (Oscip) since 2008, relies on ticket sales, sponsorships, and partnerships for sustainability. Bittencourt also notes upcoming projects involving artists Yayoi Kusama and Robert Irwin. The leadership change follows Bernardo Paz's resignation over legal issues more than a year ago, with Antonio Grassi moving to the director-president role.