Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Musée d'Art contemporain du Val-de-Marne (MAC VAL) was born on the initiative of the Conseil départemental du Val-de-Marne, led by its president Michel Germa (1976-2001). In 1982, the Fonds départemental d'art contemporain (FDAC) was created to support artists, with Raoul-Jean Moulin as artistic director. This fund, enriched during the 1980s-1990s, became the basis of the collections of the future museum, reflecting a desire to democratize art and foster social cohesion.

The museum project took shape in 1990 with the choice to set up the museum place de la Libération in Vitry-sur-Seine, in the heart of a redesigned urban space. The architect Jacques Ripault, selected in 1991, designs a white and transparent building of 13,000 m2, surrounded by a 10 000 m2 public garden. The Chaufferie de Jean Dubuffet, built in 1996 in front of the museum, prefigures its anchor in art and contemporary architecture. The MAC VAL finally opened in November 2005, after an investment of €30.5 million financed by the department, the Île-de-France region and the Ministry of Culture.

MAC VAL stands out as the only French museum exclusively dedicated to the artistic scene since the 1950s, with a collection of 2,500 works covering movements such as New Realism or Supports/Surfaces. Its programming alternates permanent (renewed every 18 months) and temporary exhibitions, such as those dedicated to Jacques Monory (2005-2006) or Claude Lévêque (2006). The museum also includes an auditorium, a documentation centre, educational workshops and a restaurant, affirming its cultural, educational and social vocation.

The artistic direction was performed by Alexia Fabre from 1998 to 2022, replaced by Nicolas Surlapierre. Under their auspices, the MAC VAL expanded its influence, as evidenced by the participations in Nuit Blanche (2009, 2011) or the exhibition on the Grand Paris Express in 2015. The museum, labeled "Musée de France", is also part of the Tram network, strengthening links between contemporary art venues in Île-de-France. His garden, named in tribute to Michel Germa, welcomes sculptures and installations from his collections.

MAC VAL illustrates an ambitious cultural policy, combining artistic heritage, architectural innovation and accessibility. Its history reflects the sustainable commitment of Val-de-Marne to creation, while addressing a diverse audience. The building, designed to open onto the city, symbolizes this desire for dialogue between art, territory and inhabitants.

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