Host Activities
We network with entities, platforms and other cultural institutions in the neighbourhood and the city in order to encourage participation and debate and generate meeting points for people. To this aim, we offer the Museum spaces to host activities and initiatives, as well as collaborating with community projects and cultural associations.
2025
Àgora Cívica
29 & 30 September and 1 October 2025
Àgora Cívica is a public forum for discussion and exchange – both local and international – that spotlights culture as a common good. Organised alongside the UNESCO MONDIACULT 2025 conference, it involves Barcelona city council, the Catalan government, Barcelona provincial authority and the Spanish ministry of culture. It features a wide range of activities: talks, round tables, workshops and other formats to encourage reflection about cultural rights, diversity, technologies and policies for sustainable development. MACBA is to host sessions in this programme, offering creative people, arts professionals and interested audiences a meeting place, and helping to generate dialogue and actions to reinforce public participation and a plurality of experiences in the construction of a more inclusive culture.
Àgora Cívica is a public forum for discussion and exchange – both local and international – that spotlights culture as a common good. Organised alongside the UNESCO MONDIACULT 2025 conference, it involves Barcelona city council, the Catalan government, Barcelona provincial authority and the Spanish ministry of culture. It features a wide range of activities: talks, round tables, workshops and other formats to encourage reflection about cultural rights, diversity, technologies and policies for sustainable development. MACBA is to host sessions in this programme, offering creative people, arts professionals and interested audiences a meeting place, and helping to generate dialogue and actions to reinforce public participation and a plurality of experiences in the construction of a more inclusive culture.
Sitio Futuro. Culture Is the Nest Where the Future Is Born
27 & 28 September 2025
As part of MONDIACULT 2025, the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development, the Convent Auditorium at MACBA Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona is to host the Sitio Futuro Forum, a space devoted to reflecting about cultural change in our time and the future of arts funding, in both public and private sectors. Its purpose is to address the primary concerns of the arts sector, creative people and artists.
As part of MONDIACULT 2025, the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development, the Convent Auditorium at MACBA Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona is to host the Sitio Futuro Forum, a space devoted to reflecting about cultural change in our time and the future of arts funding, in both public and private sectors. Its purpose is to address the primary concerns of the arts sector, creative people and artists.
Culture and Citizenship Meeting – MONDIACULT
26 & 27 September 2025
The 11th 2025 Culture and Citizenship Meeting is to take place in the days leading up to MONDIACULT 2025, the World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development that will bring together all 194 UNESCO member states in Barcelona. This meeting, part of the programme of Civic Agora and intended as a space for collective reflection and discussion of the role of culture in contemporary societies, brings together cultural stakeholders from Spain and elsewhere to debate three areas: cultural rights as a basis for sustainable development, the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence and initiatives to promote peace, equality and democratic participation.
The 11th 2025 Culture and Citizenship Meeting is to take place in the days leading up to MONDIACULT 2025, the World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development that will bring together all 194 UNESCO member states in Barcelona. This meeting, part of the programme of Civic Agora and intended as a space for collective reflection and discussion of the role of culture in contemporary societies, brings together cultural stakeholders from Spain and elsewhere to debate three areas: cultural rights as a basis for sustainable development, the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence and initiatives to promote peace, equality and democratic participation.
Barcelona Gallery Weekend Dinner
19 September 2025
Every year the Barcelona Gallery Weekend (BGW), organised by the ArtBarcelona association, marks the beginning of the art season by bringing together the top galleries of Barcelona and L’Hospitalet de Llobregat. Its programme features exhibitions, guided tours, talks and performances aimed at a range of audiences, professionals and collectors. The Gallery Weekend Dinner is one of its high points: a warm, relaxed meeting that combines fine food and conversation to foster cultural exchange and the forging of links around contemporary art.
Every year the Barcelona Gallery Weekend (BGW), organised by the ArtBarcelona association, marks the beginning of the art season by bringing together the top galleries of Barcelona and L’Hospitalet de Llobregat. Its programme features exhibitions, guided tours, talks and performances aimed at a range of audiences, professionals and collectors. The Gallery Weekend Dinner is one of its high points: a warm, relaxed meeting that combines fine food and conversation to foster cultural exchange and the forging of links around contemporary art.
Casa Planas: Tourism, Memory and Archives Mapping research institutions and projects
18 June 2025
This meeting aims to generate a dynamic map of the different agents researching and interpreting the recent history of tourism in Spain on the basis of contemporary creativity and thought.
We are organising a guided activity moderated by Marina Planas and Alelí Mirelman, representing the COSTA Observatory at Casa Planas, using an action-research methodology to create a map to be published on the website of the COSTA Observatory, with face-to-face presentations by the multiple participants in this ecosystem.
This meeting aims to generate a dynamic map of the different agents researching and interpreting the recent history of tourism in Spain on the basis of contemporary creativity and thought.
We are organising a guided activity moderated by Marina Planas and Alelí Mirelman, representing the COSTA Observatory at Casa Planas, using an action-research methodology to create a map to be published on the website of the COSTA Observatory, with face-to-face presentations by the multiple participants in this ecosystem.
LGBTI+ National Council Plenary Meeting
12 June 2025
The National Council of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersexual people (LGBTI+ National Council), the public participation body made up of organisations working to uphold and recognise the rights of LGBTI+ people, is holding its latest plenary meeting at MACBA. Members of different organisations meet to carry on advancing the protection and promotion of the rights of LGBTI+ people in Catalonia.
The National Council of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersexual people (LGBTI+ National Council), the public participation body made up of organisations working to uphold and recognise the rights of LGBTI+ people, is holding its latest plenary meeting at MACBA. Members of different organisations meet to carry on advancing the protection and promotion of the rights of LGBTI+ people in Catalonia.
Meeting of Catalan Museum Professionals
12 June 2025
Informal meeting of professionals from modern and contemporary art museums on the Catalan scene.
Informal meeting of professionals from modern and contemporary art museums on the Catalan scene.
International Conference “Drug Policy, Human Rights and Global Shared Responsibility”
5 June 2025
This event is the culmination and public presentation of three days of internal discussions between experts in different fields. During these sessions, directions for change are proposed to transform international drugs policy in order to advance the defence of human rights and the construction of peace. This public session sets out to share the main points of consensus and thoughts that have emerged and to foster a broad public conversation.
This event is the culmination and public presentation of three days of internal discussions between experts in different fields. During these sessions, directions for change are proposed to transform international drugs policy in order to advance the defence of human rights and the construction of peace. This public session sets out to share the main points of consensus and thoughts that have emerged and to foster a broad public conversation.
Piano Marathon by Students at the Escola de Músics i JPC, El Raval
27 April 2025
Hundreds of fingers pass over the keys of the magnificent piano the Maria Canals competition has in store for us. From classical to modern, from jazz to baroque, from avant-garde composers to self-penned pieces, can all be heard this time at MACBA. There is nothing better than the synergy of the finest visual arts with the musical art of the students of the Escola de Músics i JPC: from the youngest to the oldest, they perform pieces in all styles to delight our senses.
Hundreds of fingers pass over the keys of the magnificent piano the Maria Canals competition has in store for us. From classical to modern, from jazz to baroque, from avant-garde composers to self-penned pieces, can all be heard this time at MACBA. There is nothing better than the synergy of the finest visual arts with the musical art of the students of the Escola de Músics i JPC: from the youngest to the oldest, they perform pieces in all styles to delight our senses.
Symposium: “AI: How Are Arts Bodies Being Changed?”
8 April 2025
The Barcelona Pedagogical Innovation Committee is organising a one-day symposium open to the whole educational community (cultural and educational agents) about AI and digital culture. It will consider how the emergence of these new technologies is affecting our arts bodies and institutions. It will also table an ethical debate about AI and its regulation and governance, and discuss the confluence between art, technology and science. To complete the day, we will find out about some inspiring projects concerning digital culture and AI applied to cultural heritage.
The Barcelona Pedagogical Innovation Committee is organising a one-day symposium open to the whole educational community (cultural and educational agents) about AI and digital culture. It will consider how the emergence of these new technologies is affecting our arts bodies and institutions. It will also table an ethical debate about AI and its regulation and governance, and discuss the confluence between art, technology and science. To complete the day, we will find out about some inspiring projects concerning digital culture and AI applied to cultural heritage.
Barcelona’s urgent homework in a time of drought
18 March, 2025
Barcelona is the city that consumes the most water in Catalonia, and demand continues to rise. In the light of this situation, bodies from the Cimera Social de l’Aigua [Social Summit on Water] and the Aula Ambiental de Ciutat Vella [Ciutat Vella Environmental Classroom] are organising a debate that assess the Government’s strategy and proposes alternatives for fairer water management.
They will discuss how Barcelona can take more responsibility for saving and re-using water. They will also discuss alternatives that do not increase inequalities in historically over-exploited river basins, like the Ter and the Ebro.
Barcelona is the city that consumes the most water in Catalonia, and demand continues to rise. In the light of this situation, bodies from the Cimera Social de l’Aigua [Social Summit on Water] and the Aula Ambiental de Ciutat Vella [Ciutat Vella Environmental Classroom] are organising a debate that assess the Government’s strategy and proposes alternatives for fairer water management.
They will discuss how Barcelona can take more responsibility for saving and re-using water. They will also discuss alternatives that do not increase inequalities in historically over-exploited river basins, like the Ter and the Ebro.
Talk: “Healthy Menopause”
4, 11 & 25 February 2025
The women attending this round table express their concerns regarding the menopause and the professional will give them information and guidance about her new physical and emotional situation.
The women attending this round table express their concerns regarding the menopause and the professional will give them information and guidance about her new physical and emotional situation.
12th Iberian Congress of African Studies
31 January 2025
The Iberian Congress of African Studies invites all social and academic sectors to approach African societies and their diasporas. The round table will be discussing the potential of Africa in the formation of global society and the challenges this poses. The closing talk will revolve around the African contribution to models of social change, evoking the figure of Amílcar Cabral and his role in the democratisation of Portugal, as a catalyst for the Carnation Revolution.
The Iberian Congress of African Studies invites all social and academic sectors to approach African societies and their diasporas. The round table will be discussing the potential of Africa in the formation of global society and the challenges this poses. The closing talk will revolve around the African contribution to models of social change, evoking the figure of Amílcar Cabral and his role in the democratisation of Portugal, as a catalyst for the Carnation Revolution.
2024
Presentation of theses by third-year students on the Metàfora Studio Arts Program
Michael Lawton, Arash Fayez and Laura Llaneli supported the third-year students on the Metàfora Studio Arts Program in the presentation of their theses, with the assistance of external supervisors (a selection of artists from the local scene).
The theses are marked by Rubén Verdú, who also lectures in Critical Theory at Metàfora. Together with Michael Lawton, Rubén moderated the event.
In presenting their theses, each participant was supported by their external supervisors: artists, curators and other people from the cultural fabric of contemporary art in Barcelona.
The theses are marked by Rubén Verdú, who also lectures in Critical Theory at Metàfora. Together with Michael Lawton, Rubén moderated the event.
In presenting their theses, each participant was supported by their external supervisors: artists, curators and other people from the cultural fabric of contemporary art in Barcelona.
9th International Conference of the Observatory of Audiences of Cultural Heritage of Catalonia
The purpose of the Observatory of Audiences of Cultural Heritage of Catalonia (OPPCC) is to give support to the museums and other heritage facilities in Catalonia to help them get to know their visitors and users so that they can create, maintain and develop new audiences and boost the public use of cultural heritage. The OPPCC does its job by providing museums with tools and assistance for training staff at heritage facilities to research their audiences and assess their activities.
This Conference sets out to present experiences, both domestic and international, of how museums turn the data they gather in their surveys into a tool to improve their relations with their audiences.
This Conference sets out to present experiences, both domestic and international, of how museums turn the data they gather in their surveys into a tool to improve their relations with their audiences.
Rava[L]inks
Rava[L]inks is experiential training for young people from the Raval neighbourhood – who can represent the diverse realities of the area – in topics of youth participation and self-management, community development and methodologies for setting up projects. The training combines visits to organisations or projects in the city or elsewhere in Catalonia, conversations led by the young people themselves with people representing a wide range of fields and varied, dynamic training capsules and group cohesion. It is run on an intensive basis over three weekends, with the group spending from Friday to Sunday together.