Puerto Rico Museum of Contemporary Art

• Name — Puerto Rico Museum of Contemporary Art • Native Name — Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico • Established — 1984 (current location since 2002) • Location — Juan Ponce de León Ave. at Roberto H. Todd Ave., Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico • Director — Mariann Ramírez Aponte • Website — www.museomac.org

The museum was founded by artists and sponsors of the civil society and was officially instituted on October 8, 1984 as a non-profit organization. After its incorporation, the Museum offered its services in public spaces like Plaza Las Américas and amongst offices of known contributors. In 1988, the University of the Sacred Heart granted the museum a provisional home free of charge at the Magdalena Sofía Barat building. After 15 years, the museum officially petitioned the government to grant them the Labra Historical Building in Santurce. On October 20, 2002, the museum and Governor Sila Calderón signed a contract granting the museum the rights for the building.

• Illustration — Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico The museum building is called Rafael M. Labra Building. It was built in 1916 as part of a project from the Paul G. Miller Commission for the construction of public schools in urban zones. The building was designed by architect Adrian C. Finlayson. The building belonged to the Department of Public Education of Puerto Rico since its construction and in 1987 was registered as the Rafael M. Labra High School on the National Register of Historic Places, and was added to the Puerto Rico Register of Historic Sites and Zones in 2000. The architecture is of Georgian style that prevailed during the 18th century in England. Its restoration was in charge of Puerto Rican architect Otto Reyes Casanova and started from 1995 until 2002. It is located about ten minutes walking distance from La Placita de Santurce.