MAAT (museum)

MAAT (museum). The MAAT is a contemporary cultural institution located on the Tagus River waterfront in the Belém district of Lisbon, Portugal. Inaugurated in 2016, it is a project of the Fundação EDP, the foundation of the Portuguese energy company EDP - Energias de Portugal. The museum is dedicated to presenting national and international contemporary art, architecture, and technology through a dynamic program of exhibitions and events.

History

The museum's development was driven by the Fundação EDP as part of a broader urban regeneration strategy for the Belém riverfront area, a historic zone already home to cultural landmarks like the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower. The decision to create a new museum complex followed the foundation's earlier establishment of the Central Tejo power station as a museum space. The new building, designed to complement the historic Central Tejo, was officially opened to the public in October 2016. Its creation aimed to solidify Lisbon's position on the global contemporary art circuit, following the success of other institutions like the Museu Coleção Berardo.

Architecture

The iconic new building was designed by the British architect Amanda Levete and her firm AL_A. Its most distinctive feature is a low-slung, curvilinear structure with a wave-like roof that visitors can walk across, offering panoramic views of the Tagus River and the 25 de Abril Bridge. The facade is covered in three-dimensional ceramic tiles that reflect the changing light and water. The design creates a dialogue with the adjacent, brick-built Central Tejo, a former thermal power station and an important example of Portuguese Industrial architecture. The interior features expansive, flexible gallery spaces that can accommodate large-scale installations, alongside more intimate rooms and a subterranean gallery that extends beneath the waterfront promenade.

Exhibitions and programming

The museum's program is interdisciplinary, exploring the intersections between contemporary art, emerging technologies, and societal issues. It has hosted major solo exhibitions by internationally renowned artists such as Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster, Vivian Suter, and Pedro Cabrita Reis. Thematic group exhibitions often address pressing topics like ecological change, digital culture, and urbanism. The programming extends beyond the gallery walls to include film screenings, performances, and music events, often in collaboration with festivals like Doclisboa. The terrace and public spaces around the museum are also used for site-specific installations and are a popular gathering spot during events like the Lisbon Architecture Triennale.

Collection

While the MAAT does not hold a permanent collection on display, its activities are supported by the extensive art holdings of the Fundação EDP. This collection includes significant works of Portuguese and international art from the 1960s to the present, with strengths in minimalism, conceptual art, and contemporary photography. Artists represented include Julião Sarmento, Helena Almeida, Ângela Ferreira, and Joana Vasconcelos, as well as international figures like Mona Hatoum and Thomas Struth. Works from this collection are regularly integrated into temporary exhibitions at the MAAT and the Central Tejo building, ensuring a rotating presentation of artistic production.

Management and organization

The museum is wholly owned and operated by the Fundação EDP, which is chaired by António Mexia. The foundation's broader cultural remit also includes managing the Central Tejo power station museum and the EDP Foundation Art Collection. The MAAT's director and curatorial team are responsible for defining its artistic direction and exhibition calendar. The institution operates as a key part of Lisbon's cultural ecosystem, frequently partnering with other entities such as the Portuguese Ministry of Culture, the City of Lisbon, and international bodies like the European Union for specific projects and funding initiatives. Category:Art museums and galleries in Lisbon Category:Museums established in 2016 Category:2016 establishments in Portugal