The walls of the museum were donated to harbor the Permanent Collection of the Panamanian Institute of Art (PANARTE).
Until its foundation in 1962; the Panamanian Institute of Art (PANARTE) functioned in rented locations and in addition to art exhibitions, presented plays, Concerts, and presentations from famous movie directors. In spite of its own installations, the institute had great number of expositions of recognized Latin-American and Panamanian artists. The works of each exhibitor were received as a donation. In this way, a valuable collection was created without the convenience of permanent storage facility.
In 1983, the Board of directors of PARNARTE decided to look for a permanent facility for the Collection, so that they could continue growing in size and excellence. Thus a great campaign began where many people and businesses, conscious of the need to promote the artists as well as their art, trusted the directors of PANARTE to fulfill the need. This contribution coupled with a loan from the Bank, afforded the opportunity to buy and to remodel the old Masonic Temple situated in Ancón. This resulted in the creation of a permanent facility where the permanent collection could be displayed and kept safe. Thus the Museum of Contemporary Art was established and belonged to PANARTE.
The Founders of the Panamanian Institute of Art in 1962:
Olga de Oller, Manager of Panarte 1962-1983
Patricia de Picard-Ami, First President
Graciela Q. De Eleta
Adolfo Arias H.
Alberto Dutary
Julio E. Briceño
María de Canelópulos
Briseida de Méndez
Mayi de Arosemena
Gabriela de Motta
Luna de Castro
Hortensia de Alemán
Dr. Felipe O. Pérez
Aida de Guizado
Trixie de Briceño
MEMBER SPONSORS AND FOUNDERS OF THE MUSEUM OF ART CONTEMPORANEO 1983:
Administración de Seguros, S.A.
Adolfo Arias E. y Sra.
Anónimo
Aseguradora Mundial de Panamá, S.A.
Bacardí Centroamérica, S.A.
Banco Cafetero, S.A.
Banque Nationale de Paris – Banco Fiduciario
Banco Exterior, S.A.
Banco General, S.A.
William Y. Boyd II y Sra.
Casinos Nacionales
Cervecería del Barú, S.A.
Cervecería Nacional, S.A.
Citibank N.A.
Cía. Internacional de Seguros, S.A.
Cía. Nacional de Seguros, S.A.
Cía. Unida de Duque
Credit Lyonnais
Ricardo Chiari y Sra.
Dayan Hermanos, S.A.
Desarrollo Industrial, S.A.
Droguería Ramón González-Revilla, S.A.
Eisenmann, S.A.
Fernando Eleta A. y Sra.
Franquicias Panameñas, S.A.
General Mills de Panamá, S.A.
Rodrigo González y Sra.
Grupo Simplex, S.A.
Harinas Panamá, S.A.
Osvaldo Heilbron y Sra.
INTERCOMSA
Frank Kardonsky y Sra.
Kodak Panamá, Ltd.
Familia Lewis – Navarro
Litho Comercial S.A.
McDonald´s de Panamá, S.A.
Roberto Motta C. y Sra.
Motta Internacional, S.A.
Pascual Hermanos, S.A.
Petroterminal de Panamá, S.A.
Peikard, Zona Libre S.A.
Reynaldo Pengelly B. y Sra.
The Shell Company (W.I.) Limited, Panamá
TOYOPÁN y TESA
Varela Hermanos, S.A.
Xerox de Panamá, S.A.
Recently, it raised a petition to the ARI in order to donate the lands that presently occupy the Museum and an affirmative answer was obtained that, without a doubt, is another vote of confidence in favor of the Museum. At present, we the museum expect the closing of said donation on the part of our authorities. With this support, the MAC will complete an important donation for its future development.
FORMER -PRESIDENTS OF THE PANAMANIAN INSTITUTE OF ART AND MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART:
1962: Sra. Patricia de Picard-Ami - Founder
1963 & 1964: Sr. Adolfo Arias Espinosa
1965 & 1966: Prof. Isaías García A.
1967: Sr. Raúl R. Rodríguez Porcell
1968 - 1970: Lic. Julio E. Briceño
1971 - 1974: Dr. Diógenes de la Rosa
1975: Sra. Coqui Calderón de Augrain
1976 & 1977: Sra. Graciela Quelquejeu de Eleta
1978 & 1979: Lic. Francisco R. Young
1980 - 1987: Sr. Ricardo Durán J.
1988 - 1990: Dr. Eloy Alfaro de Alba
1991 - 1996: Sr. Facundo Bacardí
1997 & 1998: Sr. Steve Maduro
1999 - 2001: Sra. Adriana Lewis de Vallarino
2002 & 2006: Sra. Coqui Calderón de Augrain
