The city council of Santander is making strides in the process of appointing a new director for the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Santander and Cantabria (MAS). A recent meeting of the Extraordinary Culture Commission, led by Mayor Gema Igual, provided municipal groups with updates on the ongoing work and the proposal being developed for the upcoming recruitment process.
During the session, Culture Councillor Noemí Méndez presented the documentation related to the procedure, including a draft of the competition guidelines and technical and legal reports, all of which are subject to confidentiality. Municipal groups have one week to submit their comments, which will be considered and potentially forwarded to the relevant municipal services involved in the process.
Méndez explained that the proposed framework includes the creation of a senior management position, with the selection process based on principles of transparency, competitive bidding, merit, and capability. Candidates will be required to submit a project for the museum, which will be evaluated by an independent and professional jury. The selected individual will serve a term of five years, which may be extended for an additional five years.
This proposal has been developed with input from the Contemporary Art Institute (IAC) and the Association of Contemporary Art Directors of Spain (ADACE), both of which have been consulted throughout the process. The documentation has also been shared with municipal groups to ensure that the recommendations from these organisations are being incorporated into the selection process.
Méndez highlighted that the meeting marks a significant step forward in the city council's plan following the retirement of the previous head of the museum. The aim is to appoint a new director through a process that meets the institution's needs and adheres to best practices in the sector. The cultural law firm Gabeiras y Asociados has been involved from the outset, crafting the proposal based on months of work and consultations with key entities in contemporary art and museum management.
Additionally, the municipal secretary has already issued the necessary reports to include a senior management position in the municipal staff, a crucial step for advancing the definition of the selection process. “We are continuing to progress along the roadmap we set, taking each step with the time and technical work required for a solid, transparent process that aligns with professional best practices,” Méndez stated.
The councillor reaffirmed the city council's commitment to keeping political groups informed of any developments. “It is important to continue progressing with rigor and ensuring that each step has the necessary technical and legal backing,” she added.
Finally, Méndez announced that these developments will also be communicated to the temporary advisory committee of MAS, which is scheduled to hold its next meeting next week, following the regular monthly meeting schedule set for the third Wednesday of each month. This body was established by the city council to assist in decision-making for the museum during the transitional period until the new director is appointed.
