Guggenheim Bilbao

The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao opened in 1997 as one of the key elements of a revitalization plan for the city of Bilbao. Since then the Museum has become an outstanding tourist attraction, captivating the interest of visitors from around the world, and earning its place as the city’s centerpiece of modern architecture. It has also played a very important part in Bilbao’s urban, economic, cultural, and architectural development, widely known as ‘the Bilbao effect’, or ‘the Guggenheim effect’, making reality of some of the essential premises on which the Museum’s articles of foundation were based.

The Museum was conceived as a collaboration between the Basque Institutions and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, and is part of an international network of museumsÑthe Guggenheim networkÑthat share resources, activities, and programs in true synergy.

The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao building was designed by architect Frank O. Gehry. It is an extraordinary example of the most groundbreaking architecture in the 20th century and was immediately acknowledged as an architectural masterpiece. The building is an innovatively designed architectural landmark that creates a seductive backdrop for the exhibition of contemporary art with highly versatile spaces. Last June, Vanity Fair’s supplement World Architecture Survey hailed Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum Bilbao as the most important building since 1980.

Among the most recent educational initiatives implemented by the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao are Zero Espazioa, a visitor-orientation room equipped with full interactive information and tools to allow the visitor to make the most of their stay at the Museum; and the Didaktika spaces, which have been running for a number of years, which are specifically designed to accompany each exhibition project in and provide the visitor with interpretive keys to fully appreciate the art exhibited in the galleries.

The Art Program of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao combines presentations from the Permanent Collections and an ambitious program of high quality temporary exhibitions. Exhibitions range from historical perspectivesÑwith examples such as China: 5,000 Years; Paris: Capital of the Arts: 1900Ð1968; Russia!; or The Aztec EmpireÑto retrospective exhibitions on key figures of the art of our timeÑAndy Warhol: A Factory; Robert Rauschenberg: A Retrospective; Calder. Gravity and Grace; or James Rosenquist: A RetrospectiveÑor to specific analyses of movements or in-depth views to specific themes, artists, or collectionsÑsuch as Richard Serra; Anselm Kiefer; Surreal Things; Frank Lloyd Wright; or Moving Pictures. The Art Program also encompasses other modes of expression that have been shown in exhibitions such as Giorgio Armani or The Art of the Motorcycle.

The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao offers many complementary activities, such as conferences, lectures, talks, film cycles, art courses, and musical performances. These are intended to broaden the public’s humanistic outlook and enrich understandings and experiences of contemporary art.

As expressed in its Mission Statement the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is especially committed to education and facilitating the public’s acquaintance with culture and especially with the art of our time is its prime priority. Each new exhibition demands from the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao a review of the educational approach. The Museum sees itself as an educational institution, and therefore each project requires rethinking the technique, material, and atmosphere required to create an interdisciplinary and highly interactive educational experience.

The Museum’s educational programs range from workshops, materials, and activities specifically designed for students, educations, Museum Members, or challenged groups.

Total internal floor area: 23,817 sq m (17,092 sq m plus 6,725sq m of technical areas).

Gallery spaces, 10,778 m2 (the Museum features a large, column-free exhibition space, Gallery 104 ArcelorMittal with almost 3,000 sq m and some sculptures are installed outdoors) / education room, 312 m2 / auditorium, 304 seats / store/bookstore, a three-storey space with over 400 m2 including a bookstore library, cafŽ, bistro restaurant and gastronomic restaurant / offices, 1,206 m2 / zero espazioa (orientation room), 130 m2 / vip room, 39 m2.