MACAAL: Marrakech's African Art Museum and Its Vision for Democratizing Culture
Established in 2016 by Othman Lazraq and his father, the Musée d'Art Contemporain Africain Al Maaden (MACAAL) in Marrakech stands as one of Africa's pioneering private contemporary art institutions. As part of the Fondation Alliances, its mission is to enhance access to art through various exhibitions and workshops. Lazraq focuses on showcasing African and diaspora artists through residency programs and exhibitions. The art landscape in the Maghreb gained traction following the Arab Spring, with Morocco previously spotlighting artists such as Mohamed Melehi and Boujemâa Lakhdar. Currently, Marrakech boasts around twenty museums and over thirty galleries. The museum enjoys backing from King Mohammed VI and the Ministry of Culture, with upcoming events including the extension of 'Art, a Serious Game' until July 17, 2022, and a September exhibition featuring Joël Andrianomearisoa.
Key facts
- MACAAL opened in 2016 as a private nonprofit museum in Marrakech.
- It is part of the Fondation Alliances, which promotes arts and architectural heritage.
- Othman Lazraq is the foundation director and museum president.
- The museum aims to democratize access to contemporary African art.
- Mohamed Melehi exhibited at MoMA in 1963; Boujemâa Lakhdar was in Magiciens de la Terre in 1989.
- Marrakech has about 20 museums, over 30 galleries, and hosts the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair.
- MACAAL collaborates with international institutions like the Finnish Institute in Paris and the Musée national de l'histoire de l'immigration.
- The MACAAL Bootcamp trains young African professionals; 2021 edition was online due to COVID-19.
- Upcoming 2022 exhibitions: 'Art, a Serious Game' extended to July 17, and Joël Andrianomearisoa's 'Our Land Just Like A Dream' in September.
Entities
Artists
- Mohamed Melehi
- Boujemâa Lakhdar
- Chaïbia Talal
- Malika Agueznay
- Farid Belkahia
- Mohammed Chabaa
- Mariam Abouzid Souali
- Amina Benbouchta
- Najia Mehadji
- Safaa Erruas
- Ghizlane Sahli
- Amina Agueznay
- Fatiha Zemmouri
- Joël Andrianomearisoa
- Meryem Sebti
- Neila Tazi
- Nadia Fettah Alaoui
- Fatim-Zahra Ammor
- Meriem Berrada
- Claire Solery
- Niccolò Lucarelli
- Tracey Emin
- Antony Gormley
- Julian Schnabel
- Angelo Bellono
- Laila Hida
- Rocco Orlacchio
- Francesco Cascino
- Norya Nemiche
- Eric Van Hove
Institutions
- Musée d'Art Contemporain Africain Al Maaden (MACAAL)
- Fondation Alliances
- Fondation des Musées Nationaux (FNM)
- Ministère de la Culture (Morocco)
- Ministère du Tourisme et de l'Artisanat (Morocco)
- 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair
- MoMA
- Centre Georges Pompidou
- Institut du monde arabe
- Alserkal Art Foundation
- FIFA Museum
- MiSK Foundation
- Bienalsur (Argentina)
- Rencontres de Bamako
- Dak'Art Biennale
- Lubumbashi Biennale
- Yale Institute
- Delfina Foundation
- Intersect Palm Springs
- Art Basel
- Tate Africa Acquisitions Committee
- Nouveau Musée National de Monaco
- Creative Africa Advisory Group of Afreximbank
- ESAV (Ecole Supérieure des Arts Visuels)
- UM6P (Mohammed VI Polytechnic University)
- A3 Groupe
- Festival Gnaoua d'Essaouira
- Diptyk (magazine)
- Artribune
- MACAAL (Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden)
- Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech
- Marrakech Biennale
- Le MAP Marrakech (Monde des Arts de la Parure)
- Riad Alena
- Farasha
- LE 18
- Voice Gallery
- ESAV (École Supérieure des Arts Visuels)
- MLHN Cultural Center
- Fondation Farid Belkahia
- Pikala Bikes
- Zawya
- Afrika-Maroc
- Mamounia Hotel
Locations
- Marrakech
- Morocco
- Maghreb
- Africa
- Rome
- Italy
- New York
- United States
- Essaouira
- Casablanca
- Paris
- France
- Ben Guerir
- Argentina
- Bamako
- Mali
- Dakar
- Senegal
- Lubumbashi
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Monaco
- Palm Springs
- Basel
- Switzerland
- Madagascar
- Medina
- Guéliz
- Sidi Ghanem
- Kasbah
- High Atlas Mountains
- Toubkal
- Imlil
- Asni
- Oukaimeden
- Tamesloht
- Milan
- London
- Netherlands