The Costa Rican Art Museum is Set in the Old Airport Building.

The Costa Rican Art Museum, one of the country’s most beloved museums is about to go under the knife. The spackle knife, that is. Indeed, the museum’s new director, Eduardo Faith, has prepared the revered building for some much-needed renovations, following many of the plans of Gabriela Sáenz, the museum’s previous director.

The museum, which was inaugurated in May 1978, is the brainchild of the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports. It is in charge of encouraging, conserving, and stimulating Costa Rican art and literature. The Costa Rican Art Museum currently has one permanent exhibit, comprised of important Costa Rican works of art, and a variety of temporary displays, as well. In addition, the museum welcomes workshops and traveling programs on a regular basis, helping keep the spirit and love of art alive in Costa Rica.

The Costa Rican Art Museum’s permanent collection is a veritable work of national genius, and a source of pride for many. Currently housed in the old airport terminal at Parque La Sabana, the collection showcases the works of the country’s most famed and celebrated 19th and 20th-century artists. Sculpture plays an important roll, but one of the museum’s most-beloved sections is the Homage to Rembrandt, which features many self portraits by Costa Rican artists.

When Faith took the new position, he already had the restoration project in mind. His goal is to work with a large team of people to redefine the museum’s profile and restoration action plan, while maintaining its cultural integrity. As a professional curator with significant administrative experience, Faith seems perfectly primed to carry out the restoration plans.

To begin, the Museo de Arte Costarricense will receive a face lift, which includes the roof, a new electrical system, and fixing leaks. “We hope to have contracts for these repairs set by December, and that the building will be completely emptied [by then] to commence with the restoration,” Faith said. Temporary homes will be found for many of the museum’s belongings, though others will be moved to permanent, new homes. “We’re completing steps with the Ministry of Culture to endow the museum with a new annex that would be large enough to house the art work collection, documentation archives, and the administrative offices, as well,” Faith continued.

The ultimate goal of the museum’s restoration project is to completely restore the current building to its original splendor, converting it in a space to be exclusively used to house new, permanent collections. “It’s urgent that we redefine MAC’s raison d’etre, because it should be the epitome of an art museum, dedicated to informing the national and international public about the evolution and tendencies of Costa Rican art,” Faith explained.

The museum plans to close around January 2009, opening its doors again approximately one year later. While the renovations will be a welcome change, it is a shame that anyone with plans to Travel to Costa Rica next year will not be able to enjoy the building’s beautiful design and collections. To catch the last months of the Museo de Arte Costarricense’s current incarnation, head down Paseo Colón and park near the entrance to La Sabana Park. The old, white building is home to the museum.

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Filed under: Travel on August 21st, 2008