O Centro de Arte Contemporânea e o Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis. Análise de uma parceria institucional

Abstract

The Contemporary Art Centre (CAC) operated between 1976 and 1980 at the National Museum of Soares dos Reis (MNSR) in Porto, with a view to exhibiting, studying and disseminating contemporary art. This article aims to analyse the institutional partnership established between the CAC and the MNSR during those four years. To this end, it is important to contextualise the creation of the CAC from the perspective of the absence of a modern art museum capable of meeting the needs of the national artistic community, as well as the panorama of the intense artistic dynamics developed in Porto from the mid-twentieth century onwards. Furthermore, we analyse the creation of the CAC in the MNSR as well as the institutional partnership that was established, regarding the process of constitution of a collection of contemporary art and the sharing of facilities. Finally, we aim to reflect upon the contributions of this partnership, through the analysis of the intense exhibition activity developed by the CAC.

Keywords

• museum history
• Centre of Contemporary Art – Porto
• National Museum of Soares dos Reis
• National Museum of Modern Art
• Serralves Museum