Abstract contemporary artwork with bold purple, pink, and brown brushstrokes displayed at MAC Panamá Casco Antiguo

MAC Panamá in Casco Viejo, A New Chapter for Contemporary Art

The new MAC Panamá – Casco Antiguo has quickly become one of the most exciting cultural stops in the historic quarter. It offers visitors an intimate look at what has always been Panama City’s cultural heart—now with something new pulsing inside its historic walls: a satellite exhibition space of the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Panamá (MAC Panamá). Located in the San Juan de Dios building—the same landmark that houses Bruma and La Barbera restaurants. This new venue brings Panama’s contemporary art scene right into the pedestrian-friendly streets of Casco Antiguo.

Wall text of the 60+1 exhibition at MAC Panamá Casco Antiguo listing participating artists and curators
Framed artworks from the permanent collection displayed at MAC Panamá Casco Antiguo exhibition space

For more than 60 years, MAC Panamá’s main home has been in Ancón, inside the old YMCA building on Avenida de los Mártires. That museum remains the country’s only dedicated contemporary art institution, with a collection of more than 1,200 works by Panamanian, Latin American, and international artists. This art museum in Casco Viejo space doesn’t replace it; instead, it opens the door wider, offering locals and visitors alike a more accessible way to experience contemporary art in Panama.

Why Visit this Museum in Casco Viejo Panama

The inaugural exhibition in Casco is an adaptation of a show first held at the Ancón museum between September 2023 and January 2024, commemorating MAC’s 60th anniversary. It isn’t a dry timeline of facts. Instead, it’s a thoughtful reflection on the museum’s past, present, and future.

The exhibition uses works from the permanent collection, archival materials, and new artist interventions. Together they explore the moments and vulnerabilities that have shaped MAC.

Rather than presenting one “official story,” the curators embraced a polyphonic approach—a chorus of voices and perspectives that show MAC as a living, evolving organism.

Artists in Dialogue

To deepen this reflection, several artists were invited to create new works in dialogue with the museum’s legacy:

  • Alfredo J. Martiz J. combines photographs with archival material to reflect on fragility and community.
  • Megan Carrera and Ana Lasso give poetic voice to the institution through an installation of writing and drawing.
  • Marc Vives interprets the museum’s architecture and intangible legacies through performance.
  • Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa meditates on Anthurium plants once abundant in the Canal Zone but now rare.
  • Humberto Vélez, with collaborators, stages El MAC Rebelde, a performance of music, choreography, and oratory.
  • Valentina Desideri leads speculative exercises on MAC’s future, presented in fanzine form.

Visiting the New MAC Space in Casco

For travelers, MAC Museum Casco Viejo Panama is an easy entry point into Panama’s contemporary art story. You can step inside while strolling the old quarter, and in minutes be immersed in a world of creativity that connects past and present.

And here’s the best part: your admission ticket to the Casco space also covers entry to the main contemporary museum in Panama City MAC Museum in Ancón for 14 days. That means if you begin your Panama journey in the city and end it here as well, you can break the experience into two visits. Start in Casco, where the museum feels intimate and immediate. Then return to Ancón before you leave, where the larger collection ties together the questions and connections you’ve carried through your stay.

Before you go, make sure to stop by the gift corner. It’s small but carefully curated, offering beautifully made, easy-to-pack items that work as thoughtful gifts for others—or as a personal keepsake that will never let you forget your time in Panama.

Stack of bright yellow MAC Panamá souvenir mugs at the Casco Antiguo museum gift corner
Colorful designer scarves from the MAC Panamá Casco Antiguo museum gift shop

MAC Panamá | Casco Antiguo is proof that art here isn’t confined to walls. It lives in the conversations we share, the stories we revisit, and the futures we dare to imagine. And thanks to this new space, it’s also a memory you can carry home with you.

“Don’t miss the Museum Casco Viejo Panama during your stay—it connects history, art, and community in a way few places can.”

Q&A

Q: What is MAC Panamá – Casco Antiguo?
A: MAC Panamá – Casco Antiguo is the new satellite exhibition space of the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Panamá, bringing contemporary art into Casco Viejo’s historic streets.

Q: Where is the MAC Panamá – Casco Antiguo located?
A: It is located in the historic San Juan de Dios building in Casco Viejo, near Bruma and La Barbera restaurants.

Q: What can visitors expect to see?
A: Visitors will find works from MAC’s permanent collection, archival materials, and new artist interventions—curated to tell the story of MAC’s past, present, and future.

Q: Is the main museum still open in Ancón?
A: Yes, the main MAC Panamá Museum in Ancón remains open and continues to house the country’s largest dedicated contemporary art collection.

Q: Why should I visit this new Casco Viejo space?
A: It offers a more intimate, pedestrian-friendly experience and allows locals and visitors to connect with contemporary art right in the heart of Casco Viejo.

Facts: MAC Panamá – Casco Antiguo

Type: Contemporary Art Museum (Satellite Space)
Location: San Juan de Dios building, Casco Viejo, Panama City
Parent Institution: Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Panamá (MAC Panamá)
Collection Size: 1,200+ works from Panamanian, Latin American, and international artists
Opening Exhibition: Adapted from the Ancón show (Sept 2023 – Jan 2024) commemorating MAC’s 60th anniversary


🌟 Thanks for reading! The new MAC Museum in Casco Viejo Panama. 🛎️ Want your business featured? Reach out to us — we live and breathe Casco Viejo.

🧭 Out and about with James.

Museum of the Mola

A vibrant museum dedicated to Guna culture, where the meaning behind each stitch tells a story of identity and heritage.

Visit Museum

Arts & Culture

From street murals to studio exhibits, Casco’s art scene is alive with talent and passion rooted in history and place.

Explore Arts

Events in Casco

Stay in the loop with local events—gallery openings, live music, artisan fairs, and street festivals that bring Casco to life.

View Events

Similar Posts