Malaga city is set to welcome CaixaForum in 2026, a cultural center operated by the La Caixa Foundation. The facility will house two exhibition halls and multiple purpose spaces devoted to visual arts, culture, scientific dissemination, and the humanities, complemented by a strong technological component.
The Mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre, and the La Caixa Foundation’s president, Isidro Faine, sealed an agreement this Thursday to support the construction of this new venue. The deal places Malaga within Spain’s premier network of cultural assets, alongside major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Zaragoza, and Seville.
De la Torre described the agreement as a pivotal step in the city’s cultural strategy and a response to the desire to participate in the country’s top-tier cultural, educational, and informational landscape.
Speaking to the significance of aligning with Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Zaragoza, and Seville, the councilor emphasized that Malaga would be treated on equal terms with these cities. The city’s tradition of hosting acclaimed exhibitions under canvas will now benefit from stronger national and international collaboration through the CaixaForum network, signaling a new era for Malaga’s cultural programming.
The new facility will be built on land adjacent to the Malaga Provincial Police Station, at the Manuel Azaña Square, along the exit from Avenida de Andalucía. With a gross area of 8,200 square meters and a net area of 5,500 square meters, the project will also integrate surrounding green spaces and, importantly, free public parking in the vicinity.
“The most distinctive” center
The construction will be financed by the La Caixa Foundation, which has described the project as a “singular” CaixaForum and a benchmark of innovation. Elisa Durán, Executive Vice President of the foundation, highlighted the model as a way to spread culture to all citizens with quality and care, aiming to reach both specialized audiences and families, schoolchildren, and others who may face barriers to accessing cultural institutions. She noted Malaga’s population and location make it a natural fit for joining the CaixaForum family.
Inside, the center will present six exhibitions each year in rotation, strengthened by La Caixa Foundation’s partnerships with national and international institutions such as the La Caixa Museum, the Louvre, the British Museum, the Pompidou, and the Prado. Residents and visitors will enjoy a diverse program featuring cinema, graphic novels and comics, audio-visual works, and a spectrum of art from ancient to contemporary movements.
Beyond the exhibition spaces, the center will include multi-purpose halls that will function as dynamic educational venues. Topics will range from digital literacy to other areas that address the digital divide and broaden access to technology. The aim is to foster learning, creativity, and critical thinking for all segments of society.
Durán underscored the strategic location chosen for the facility, noting that the project will become a visible, innovative gateway to the city and a cultural beacon across Spain. The initiative was presented to the La Caixa Foundation’s Board of Trustees, which approved bringing CaixaForum to Malaga, marking a moment of excitement for the organization and the city alike.
As the project progresses, the initiative is anticipated to strengthen Malaga’s reputation as a hub of innovation, culture, science, and entrepreneurship, contributing to a broad-based cultural economy that benefits residents and visitors alike. The collaboration signals a deliberate effort to elevate Malaga’s status within the national cultural network while preserving the city’s unique heritage and accessibility for all.