La belle renaissance du [mac] à Marseille
The [mac] (Musée d’Art Contemporain) in Marseille is undergoing a significant revival following years of stagnation and underfunding. Under the new leadership of Stéphanie Airaud, who was appointed in 2023, the museum has completed major renovations including updated storage facilities, a new rooftop terrace, and a reorganized gallery layout. The institution is leveraging its impressive but previously underutilized collection of over 1,000 works—featuring masters like Basquiat, Klein, and Saint Phalle—while actively working to correct historical gender imbalances and strengthen ties to Mediterranean contemporary art.
This transformation marks a strategic shift for Marseille’s cultural landscape, moving the [mac] from the periphery back to the center of the French art scene. By hosting major events like the ADIAF’s triennial 'De leur temps' and fostering collaborations with local art schools and archaeological museums, the institution is repositioning itself as a dynamic, inclusive hub. The focus on experimental projects and private collection showcases suggests a sustainable model for growth that balances blue-chip modernism with urgent, contemporary social dialogues.