Archive and Library

The Archive and Library at the MACBA Study Centre, which opened its doors in December 2007, expand the Museum's scope by strengthening its role as a centre for research, debate and diffusion of contemporary thought.

Both of these documentary holdings are specialised in contemporary artistic practices, focusing on a timeframe that matches that covered by the Museum's exhibitions and activities and by the artworks in the MACBA Collection, with which they are closely linked. This enhances and boosts their potential to generate new interpretations and readings throughout the history of contemporary art.

The documentary material that constitutes the Archive and Library is structured into holdings and collections, which include the archives of individuals and entities, artist's books, posters, photographs, invitations and pamphlets, etc., as well as reference books and audiovisual documents. The accessibility and conservation requirements of these materials determine whether they are stored in the Library or the Archive. Both have the mission to preserve them, publicise their content and support research on contemporary artistic practices that draws on these documents as its raw material.

As part of its commitment to supporting the research community, promoting knowledge production, fostering dialogue between research and contemporary arts practices, and networking with other entities that share similar interests, the MACBA Study Centre offers a program of residencies with a duration of one to three months. These residencies are targeted at academic researchers, artists and other specialists in contemporary art and related topics.