Manuel Segade Named Director of Reina Sofía Museum: A New Era for Spanish Contemporary Art

Open the museum to other social strata

Manuel Segade has been named the new director of the Reina Sofía Museum. After the announcement, he thanked the expert committee, the Royal Board of Trustees, and the Ministry of Culture. He expressed enthusiasm for the task and the opportunity to showcase a stronger Reina Sofía, describing the museum as a gifted institution with broad potential. Segade, born in 1977 in A Coruña, has led the Dos de Mayo Art Center in Móstoles since 2015. He stood out as the top candidate in the Madrid testing process for the museum’s management, succeeding Manuel Borja-Villel. The selection began with the publication of contest rules in the official state bulletin on February 10, amid a heated media discussion about the predecessors work.

Segade noted his respect for the remaining candidates and welcomed the recognition of his work at CA2M. He highlighted the Dos de Mayo Art Center as a crucial part of Madrid’s contemporary art ecosystem and asserted that his appointment reflects the center’s significant contribution to culture. The new director is preparing for a June 17 opening at CA2M, featuring a second Juan Muñoz exhibition after a first show in February, along with projects dedicated to Cristina Garrido and Susana Solano.

Before his appointment as the head of the Reina Sofía, an official cabinet decision was expected in Madrid. The challenges facing one of Spain’s largest cultural institutions include deciding the permanence of Borja-Villel’s collection, expanding international ties, increasing the representation of Spanish artists, and strengthening public engagement across regions and institutions. In a previous interview, Segade offered a sketch of the roadmap he envisions as director, describing the Reina Sofía as a leading European museum in contemporary culture.

Opening the museum to broader social groups

In discussions with this publication, Segade highlighted the architectural and organizational framework that underpins Reina Sofía. He called the museum a structured institution with its own foundational law and emphasized that many traditional structures in Spain are not fully aligned with the needs of a dynamic contemporary art space. The organizational core, he argued, must adapt to contemporary artistic practice to avoid becoming overwhelmed by its own scale.

Looking ahead, Segade spoke about a deliberate effort to engage Madrid’s neighborhoods and extend invitations beyond the usual art audience. He stressed the importance of drawing in a wider cross section of society and leveraging the museum as a platform for dialogue with communities. He warned that the early phase will require sustained work to reach diverse social layers and ensure Reina Sofía remains relevant and vibrant.

Stronger ties for Spanish artists and enduring collections

Segade underscored the need to broaden citizen access to contemporary art and to bolster the presence of Spanish artists within the museum. He recalled CA2M’s prior commitment to maintaining international stature while integrating more Spanish art into the program. The Reina Sofía’s international visibility is high, but its impact on the local art scene will depend on renewed programming and a clearer integration of Spanish creators. He described this as an ongoing priority rather than a criticism of the past administration.

Regarding the permanent collection curated by Borja-Villel, Segade acknowledged substantial work ahead. The collection exists and can be developed further through thoughtful curatorial strategies. The aim is to preserve a robust core while expanding opportunities to showcase Spanish artists alongside international perspectives. The director noted that the institution should remain strong and consistent, avoiding fluctuations that could undermine its mission. CA2M’s leadership at the time of the transition reflected a recognition of the need to adapt and evolve beyond previous models.

Segade reflected on the process of building such institutions and the responsibility that comes with leadership. He spoke about leveraging private sector imagination and cross-sector collaboration to propel the museum forward. He also touched on the internationalization of Spanish artists and observed that foreign audiences often respond to the vitality and experimentation of Spain’s art scene more than to its formal institutional structures. The objective is to rotate the axis by combining an international outlook with a deeply rooted national art practice that serves as a springboard for creative exchange.

Initial responses to the appointment

Industry voices reacted positively to Segade’s appointment. Colleagues suggested the choice represents a generational shift and a renewed approach to the museum’s mission. They noted that the new leadership could bring fresh perspectives on gender, decolonization, and interinstitutional collaboration. CA2M was praised as a model for a peripheral institution that has developed a distinctive identity through a clear artistic vision.

Industry leaders emphasized Segade’s clarity, daring, and strong ideas. The next director of MNCARS was described as someone with deep knowledge of Spanish art who could maintain the museum’s avant-garde strengths while expanding the international dialogue. If the museum continues to broaden its international program and strengthen exchanges with Spanish artists, Reina Sofía could fill existing gaps and reinforce its role in shaping national culture.

Colleagues also highlighted Segade’s capacity to connect diverse voices within the Madrid art scene. They noted his track record in building community engagement and delivering ambitious exhibitions. His leadership at CA2M is viewed as a sign that Reina Sofía will pursue a more inclusive, globally informed path that still centers on the Spanish art story. The conversation around the appointment signals a commitment to continuity and evolution in equal measure.

The broader conversation points to Segade’s potential to coordinate with other major institutions and to contribute to a robust European framework for contemporary practice. As he steps into the Reina Sofía role, the focus will be on fostering collaborations, expanding international networks, and deepening engagement with local communities, all while curating compelling programs that elevate both Spanish and international artists in a shared cultural conversation. [citation: Reina Sofía institutional overview, arts coverage]