MACRO — Attraction in Rome

Dear MACRO - Museo d'Arte Contemporanea Roma,

I have a fundamental question for you. Does your museum welcome children or exclude children?

Myself and my two kids, aged 4 and 1 visited MACRO today at around 2:30pm. A trip to a museum with young children is daunting. Despite living in Rome, I rarely visit museums because they do not feel like spaces that are inclusive to children. We visited MACRO because we were passing and I understood it to be a modern and forward thinking establishment. My children looked at the art and despite having a short attention span, my 4 year old was able to reflect on some of how the pieces made him feel. He considered all the pieces he connected with and watched intently, some of the multimedia pieces, asking me what they meant.

We then found the free drawing space on the 2nd floor, a marvel, just at children’s height with colorful markers for them to express themselves. My son and daughter joyfully added their art work to the walls, amongst all the others. They delighted in contributing to the shared art, adding to others pieces, connecting pieces, feeling included in the experience of the museum, with their art as important as everyone else’s, on the wall.

However, the attendant of the room, in a rude and aggressive manner, told my children to stop. That they could not continue because they had drawn over the lines of others people’s doodles. We left the museum feeling upset, excluded, and othered.

What this man did not say in words, but what his actions said was that children are not welcome MACRO. That even in areas set out for free expression, that their expression is somehow wrong. They temporarily felt like artists and now they know they are not.

What you do not know is that their grandfather, Aldo Giorgini, was a famous, pioneering artist. He has pieces in major American museums, such as the Smithsonian. Art is therefore in their blood and one reason I took them to MARCO today was to feel inspired, empowered, and to know they they, as everyone is, are artists. That art isn’t for rich people, white people, other people. That art is for them.

What instead they have learned is the opposite.

I hope you will reconsider your unspoken policies in regards to children. I hope you will reconsider the training you give your museum staff. And I hope you will consider what your mission and values are. Is this art for the people? Or just art...

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Unfortunately you...

MACRO (Museo d'Arte Contemporanea Roma) is one of Rome's leading contemporary art museums, located in the vibrant Testaccio district. Housed in a former industrial complex, the museum itself is an intriguing mix of old and new architecture, with modern spaces that contrast beautifully with the building's historical structure. MACRO is dedicated to showcasing contemporary art from both Italian and international artists, with a focus on the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of modern creative expression.

The museum hosts a variety of exhibitions, including painting, sculpture, photography, video installations, and more. Its diverse programming includes solo exhibitions, group shows, and special projects that often explore pressing social, political, and cultural themes. With an emphasis on innovation, MACRO provides a platform for emerging artists and experimental works, making it a key player in Rome's contemporary art scene.

For those interested in exploring modern art in the heart of Rome, MACRO offers a fresh and engaging experience. Whether you are a seasoned art lover or simply looking to see something new and exciting, the museum’s thought-provoking exhibitions and vibrant atmosphere make it a must-visit destination for contemporary art...