Patricia del Pozo, the Andalusian Minister of Culture, Heritage and Sport, has met with Bartomeu Marí, the newly appointed director of the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo (CAAC), to outline key strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the institution's role as a cultural leader in Andalusia and beyond.
Marí, who was selected from 25 candidates in an open recruitment process and confirmed by the Council of Government on 7 October, shared his vision for the CAAC, which includes its two locations in Seville and Córdoba (Centro de Creación Contemporánea de Andalucía, C3A). His plan focuses on linking contemporary creation with various forms of heritage, fostering interdisciplinary connections between visual arts, cinema, music, design, literature, and architecture, as well as promoting education and engagement with new audiences.
Del Pozo and Marí also discussed upcoming programming, which will prioritise high-quality exhibitions and presentations from the collection, while addressing contemporary societal challenges through impactful social and intellectual initiatives. Additionally, they touched upon the forthcoming expansion of the Pabellón del Siglo XV, envisioned as a visitable storage space and exhibition area for the permanent collection.
Del Pozo expressed confidence that "the CAAC and the C3A will thrive under Bartomeu Marí's leadership, becoming central to the cultural fabric of Andalusia and an international reference for contemporary art, offering engaging proposals for society and tackling new challenges outlined in the strategic artistic plan."
Marí highlighted the significance of both the CAAC and C3A as leading centres for contemporary art, noting their rich heritage and extensive range of activities. Since his arrival, he has engaged with teams in Seville and Córdoba to explore the full potential of both centres in relation to contemporary artists and creators.
Before joining the CAAC and C3A, Bartomeu Marí (born in Ibiza in 1966) held various prestigious positions, including director of the Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI) from 2019 to 2020, and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in South Korea from 2015 to 2018. He also directed the Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA) from 2008 to 2015, and the Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art in Rotterdam from 1996 to 2001. His professional background includes affiliations with institutions such as Tabakalera, the Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno (IVAM), and the Fondation pour l'Architecture in Brussels.
Marí has also served as president of the International Committee for Museums of Modern and Contemporary Art (CIMAM) from 2014 to 2016, curated the Taipei Biennial in 2002, and the Spanish Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2005. His recent exhibitions include 'John Baldessari. Parables, Fables and Other Tall Tales' (Bozar, Brussels, 2026), 'Muntadas. Otros Miedos' (MUNA, Pamplona, 2025), and 'Lejos del Vacío. ZERO y el arte de postguerra en Europa' (IVAM, Valencia, 2022-2023).
