Museu de Arte Sacra da Bahia Closes Due to Structural Issues and Budget Cuts

The Museu de Arte Sacra da Bahia (MAS) in Salvador was closed on August 10 by the Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA) due to severe structural problems threatening its collection. Rector Paulo Miguez cited the need to prevent a catastrophe similar to the 2018 fire at Rio de Janeiro's Museu Nacional. The closure was approved by the Conselho de Ensino Superior on July 30. UFBA stated that budget cuts to higher education institutions left no funds for the museum's restoration. The museum, which houses Latin America's largest collection of Baroque sacred art, was listed by Iphan in 1938 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Its collection includes unique 16th to 19th-century paintings, silverwork, furniture, and religious imagery. The Instituto Brasileiro de Museus (Ibram) clarified it has no administrative oversight of MAS but will inquire about the collection's status with UFBA. Director Maria Herminia Olivera Hernández assured the collection is not at risk and that emergency repairs are underway, seeking support from municipal and state governments. The museum, located in the former Convento de Santa Teresa D'Ávila on Rua do Sodré, received about 300 visitors monthly. A recent federal education budget cut of R$1.28 billion further jeopardizes its future.