Miguel Zugaza

Renovation work on the Fine Arts Museum in Bilbao is progressing, and it would be more accurate to describe it as a reimagining. One of the city’s cultural hubs, renowned for its exhibitions and one of Spain’s most important public museums, it is ready to take flight with its new wings

Miguel Zugaza, the director of the Museum of Fine Arts, is one of the world’s most prestigious cultural managers. After an initial period at the Bilbao museum, Miguel Zugaza (Durango, Bizkaia, 1964) worked at Museo del Prado, where he gained considerable prestige thanks to his excellent work. A few years ago, he returned home.

When will the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum reopen?

Miguel Zugaza: Throughout the summer of 2026 we will be unfolding the wings of the new museum.

Firstly, coinciding with the solstice, we will celebrate Agur by opening the doors of the Arriaga atrium. This space will connect the two existing buildings, forming an extraordinary sculpture gallery to welcome visitors entering through either of the two squares connecting the museum with the city: Plaza Museo, overlooking the estuary, and Plaza Chillida, opening onto the park. From these two squares, a new urban axis will be created along which this journey through art from all eras, preserved by our century-old museum, will run.

Will people notice the new architecture?

MZ. This will also be the moment to unveil Agravitas, the new architectural project designed by Norman Foster and Luis María Uriarte. A work of art itself, the building’s potential for activity and interaction with its surroundings will be revealed through the open terrace and the new BBKmuseoa exhibition space.

The latter will present its inaugural programme on 5 October, the anniversary of the museum’s opening, showcasing the entire artistic offering, including the collection, exhibition and activities programme, as well as the new café and shop facilities, designed to enhance the visitor experience.

What impact do you expect the ‘new’ museum to have on the city?

MZ. Cultural tourism has become a sign of prosperity not only for Bilbao, but also for the Basque Country as a whole. We hope that the new museum will become an added attraction for visitors to our city, and we are convinced that it will have a very positive impact in cultural terms for the local community. We are also convinced that the visibility that Foster and Uriarte’s architecture will provide to the museum should enable us to reach new audiences.

In addition, along with the building expansion, the museum has embarked on a virtual growth project, and we hope that by creating Arteder, a digital knowledge platform, we will communicate the quality and uniqueness of the art we conserve to a global audience.

The new infrastructure will support many more cultural activities beyond exhibitions. What are you planning?

MZ. Visitors to the new museum will find themselves in an attractive and particular part of the city, with buildings from different periods and closely linked to culture, which offers various opportunities to interact with art, architecture, design…

The museum is ready to connect with other art forms, such as cinema, music and dance, as well as activities related to the healthy habits of our community. We want to play an active role in the city, both before and after we open our doors, so that we can get a feel for the city.