Discovering Madrid’s Art Scene

If you couldn’t tell from our previous posts, we are very excited about our new Madrid positions (that we are still looking to fill, hint hint). And it’s not just because we can’t wait to see all of the amazing new talent that will join our team, it’s also because we think Madrid is just a fabulous place to live and explore! That’s why, this week we thought we’d dig into the rich and diverse art scene that the city has to offer.

Museums

The first, and most obvious place to look for art culture is in museums, and luckily Madrid is not lacking in them. Perhaps the most famous museum in Madrid (if not the world) is the Museo del Prado, which houses an extensive collection of art that spans from the 12th to the 20th century. Get lost in the delicate brushstrokes of Diego Veláquez’s famous and iconic “Las Meninas” or in the haunting eyes of Fransisco Goya’s “Saturn Devouring His Son”. Another crowd favorite is the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. The museum features works from artists like Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, Juan Gris, and more. If you go, don’t forget to set some time aside to visit Pablo Picasso’s epic “Guernica”, which is one of the most acclaimed anti-war artworks in art history.

Art Spaces

If museums aren’t your cup of tea, Madrid has plenty of art spaces that you can enjoy. CaixaForum Madrid is a sociocultural hub that is home to a range of artistic and cultural expressions, from ancient and modern to contemporary art. The center hosts a mix of music and poetry festivals, multimedia installations, discussions on contemporary issues, and workshops. Matadero Madrid, a multidisciplinary art space, is another great cultural space to investigate. Originally constructed between 1908 and 1928, its buildings were designed by Luis Bellido and were a part of Madrid’s livestock market. Now they are home to a cultural hub of creativity and skills-sharing. Each building is dedicated to one specific cultural discipline (performing arts, design, visual arts, etc.), so there is something for everyone.

ARCOmadrid

Another immersive cultural experience to check out is the ARCOmadrid art fair. Since it was started, ARCOmadrid has established itself as a pivotal platform in the contemporary art field. This coming year (2024) will mark its 43rd edition, which it boasts will showcase over 1,300 artists and 211 galleries. This year’s program is called, “The shore, the tide, the flow: an oceanic Caribbean” and will focus on art about land adjoined by the Caribbean. ARCOmadrid will be running from March 6th to March 10th in 2024, so if you’re in Madrid in March, go see it for yourself!

Flamenco

While Madrid is not the birthplace of flamenco (which is the southern region of Andalusia), it has nevertheless embraced the art form wholeheartedly. Starting in the 19th century, when flamenco began to gain commercial and artistic tradition, Madrid emerged as a hotspot where different regional styles came together and interacted. Today you can still enjoy flamenco in tablaos (flamenco bars), such as the legendary Corral de la Morería and Tablao Flamenco 1911. If you want something a bit more grand, you can also find larger performances at the city's many theaters. Don’t miss out on the chance to witness the magic that is made between the cantaores (singers), guitarristas (guitarists), and bailaores (dancers). This just scratches the surface of what Madrid’s art scene has to offer! If you are interested in learning more about our new positions in Madrid (and yes, we still have positions open in Berlin as well), head on over to our careers page.