All about Museo de Arte Contemporáneo in Mérida (2025)

The Museo de Arte Contempoáneo Ateneo de Yucatán (MACAY) - Fernando García Ponce is the only museum dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of modern and contemporary art throughout the Yucatán Peninsula.

The massive Museum of Contemporary Art of Mérida is located in a prime location at Plaza Grande, next to the Catedral de Mérida on the right side.

What Can You Expect?

MACAY covers an impressive 3,500 square meters (almost 38,000 square feet) and welcomes over 70,000 visitors each year. The size of the museum is also reflected inside, with large rooms that, at least to me, feel somewhat sterile and cold.

In addition to its exhibitions, the museum features

• a gift shop,

• an art-focused library,

• a newspaper archive dedicated to art and culture,

• and a cozy cafeteria.

Museum Collections

The museum houses an extensive collection of works from the early 20th century to the present, distributed in two galleries.

There are three rooms where the work of the three well-known artists of Yucatecan visual arts - Fernando Castro Pacheco, Fernando García Ponce and Gabriel Ramírez Aznar - is permanently exhibited.

The huge museum offers also 15 temporary exhibition spaces, where the exhibitions change every three months.

In addition on the second floor there is the Expoforo - a forum that, due to its size, allows for large-scale exhibitions and can accommodate up to 500 people. On the first floor pieces from past exhibitions are still on display.

MACAY also hosts visiting exhibits from other parts of Mexico. Because the temporary exhibitions always run for only 3 months, with a circulation of around 2,000 pieces each and every time, it underlines the claim of MACAY, to promote the diffusion and knowledge of national and international modern and contemporary art.

This is especially true for children: MACAY offers special programs and workshops for children and also guided tours tailored for children.

The Museum Building

The building, which now houses the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Ateneo de Yucatán, has a rich historical past. It was built in the 17th century and originally served as a Franciscan monastery.

The Franciscans played an important role in the colonization of Yucatán and built many monasteries and churches in the region. They were one of the first Catholic orders to come to Yucatán in the course of Spanish colonization.

Over time, however, various conversions and renovations were carried out to use it for different purposes, including as a military building and a school, until it was converted into the museum it is today.

Pasaje de la Revolución

You enter the museum through the Pasaje de la Revolución, which is easy to spot thanks to a red sign that says "Entrada al Museo." This 100-meter-long passage regularly features rotating sculpture exhibitions by both Mexican and international artists.

The Pasaje de la Revolución, a covered walkway connecting Mérida’s cathedral and the museum, was originally built in 1902 in a French-inspired style with two large arches and a glass and iron roof.

The structure was demolished in the 1940s due to stability issues but was reconstructed in 2001, restoring its original design, and later given to the Fundación Cultural Macay A.C. for use as an art space.

Today, more than 6,000 people pass through it daily, and it regularly hosts rotating sculpture exhibitions by Mexican and international artists, though occasionally, there may be no installations on display.

A Few Tips

If you're planning a visit the museum, here are some tips.

Admission is free, so take your time exploring the 15 temporary exhibition rooms and the permanent galleries showcasing works by renowned Yucatecan artists.

The museum offers guided tours, workshops, and educational programs. Additionally, MACAY hosts various activities, including free painting and drawing workshops for children on the last Saturday of each month.

After exploring the museum, you might want to take a break at the café or check out the store for some unique souvenirs. Remember, the museum is located in the heart of Mérida, so it's easy to combine your visit with other nearby attractions.