The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) and Spain’s Museo Nacional del Prado have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening cultural cooperation, expanding art exhibitions, and promoting the shared artistic heritage of the two countries.
The agreement was formally signed on November 3, 2026, during a visit by a senior delegation from the Spanish museum to the National Museum of the Philippines.
Under the partnership, both institutions will explore opportunities for artwork loans, joint exhibitions, scholarly exchanges, and research collaborations to improve public access to important cultural collections.
The agreement also seeks to enhance collection documentation and bibliographic resources related to Philippine art, particularly works reflecting the historical and artistic connections between the Philippines and Spain.
The Spanish delegation was led by Museo Nacional del Prado Director Miguel Falomir, accompanied by Head of International and Institutional Relations Francisco Tardió and Chief Curator Carlos Navarro.
Representing the National Museum of the Philippines were Chairman Andoni Aboitiz, Director-General Jeremy Barns, Deputy Director-General for Museums Arvin Manuel Villalon, and National Museum of Fine Arts Director Rica Estrada Uson.
Representatives from the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines and the Philippine Embassy in Madrid also attended the signing ceremony, alongside officials from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, National Archives of the Philippines, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and National Library of the Philippines.
The National Museum said the collaboration would help broaden access to significant artworks, encourage academic and curatorial exchanges, and strengthen the appreciation of Philippine artistic heritage.
Both institutions are also expected to work together in developing and promoting exhibitions that highlight their shared cultural history and artistic traditions.
The partnership marks another step in strengthening cultural relations between the Philippines and Spain, with a focus on preserving historical collections and making important works of art more accessible to Filipino audiences.
