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Metropolitan Museum of Manila

Coordinates: 14°33′05″N 121°03′03″E / 14.551465°N 121.050842°E / 14.551465; 121.050842
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Metropolitan Museum of Manila
Former location of the museum
Map
Established1976 (1976)
Location30th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Manila, Philippines
Coordinates14°33′05″N 121°03′03″E / 14.551465°N 121.050842°E / 14.551465; 121.050842
Type
Websitemetmuseum.ph

The Metropolitan Museum of Manila, also branded as the M, is a non-profit art museum located in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig, that exhibits local and international contemporary art.[1] It bills itself as the Philippines's premier museum for modern and contemporary visual arts by local and international artists.[2]

History

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Established in 1976, it was formerly located within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Complex along Roxas Boulevard in the Malate district of Manila. The museum initially exhibited international artists to expose Filipinos to contemporary visual works in other cultures. By 1986, its focus shifted to local works and extend its reach to more common people by offering bilingual exhibition texts and developing several outreach educational programs like workshops and symposia, thereby promoting local pride and identity.[3][4]

Since 2022, the M has been relocated to its dedicated premises at the MK Tan Centre within the business district of Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Formerly subsidized by the BSP, the management of the museum has now shifted to the Metropolitan Museum of Manila Foundation, Inc., initially established by former First Lady Imelda Marcos and businessman Bienvenido Tantoco, Sr. in 1979. In September 1986, seven months after the EDSA revolution, the museum acquired a new board of trustees and became a non-government organization.[5]

The museum, which previously offered complimentary entry on Tuesdays, has extended this to all days during its operating hours from Tuesdays to Saturdays.[6]

Banksy exhibit

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In April 2024, the museum announced a teaser for an upcoming exhibition called Banksy Universe, causing speculation on whether the exhibit would include works by Banksy. However, the announcement also caused criticism as some contrasted Banksy's use of street art with the prevailing restrictions on street art and graffiti enforced in Bonifacio Global City, while others criticized the exhibition for running counter to Banksy's subversive and anti-capitalist messaging in his art. Banksy's managing agency, Pest Control, denied involvement in the upcoming exhibit.[7][8] The museum stated that the exhibit, like many Banksy exhibitions in museums around the world, was “not authorized or endorsed” by Banksy, and was instead created in partnership with an international art production collective to display Banksy's works in an immersive setup.[9] The exhibit finally opened on May 14, 2024 and will last until November 20.[10]

References

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  1. ^ Prieto-Valdes, Tessa (November 19, 2022). "The Metropolitan Museum of Manila at BGC". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  2. ^ Lenzi, Iola (2004). Museums of Southeast Asia. Singapore: Archipelago Press. ISBN 978-9-81406-896-3. LCCN 2005345640. OCLC 937335208. OL 3448397M.
  3. ^ "Home". Metropolitan Museum of Manila. Retrieved May 13, 2018.
  4. ^ "About The Museum". Metropolitan Museum of Manila.
  5. ^ Paulino, Roberto (2010). "The Metropolitan Museum of Manila". PANANAW: Philippine Journal of Philippine Arts. 7: 36.
  6. ^ "About the Museum". Metropolitan Museum of Manila. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  7. ^ "Metropolitan Museum of Manila's Banksy Universe draws mixed reactions". GMA News. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  8. ^ "Art is…pre-approved? Filipinos online slam BGC for Banksy Universe promotion". Rappler. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  9. ^ "Metropolitan Museum of Manila releases statement on Banksy Universe exhibit". GMA News. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  10. ^ "Amid backlash, BANKSY UNIVERSE opens in BGC. Here's what to know". Rappler. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
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