Portugal's Cultural Landscape Transformed: Meet the New Museum Directors!

New Leadership in Portuguese Museums and Monuments

The Museus e Monumentos de Portugal, a public entity established by the Ministry of Culture, has announced the appointment of new directors for five museums and two monument complexes, including the iconic Jerónimos Monastery. This marks the first significant outcome of the recent recruitment process initiated in August and September, attracting 69 applications.

Among the prominent new appointments is Sandra Costa Saldanha, who will lead the Museu Nacional Machado de Castro in Coimbra. An art historian specializing in Baroque sculpture, Saldanha brings a wealth of experience from her previous role at the National Secretariat for Cultural Assets of the Church.

Rosário Salema de Carvalho takes the helm at the Museu Nacional do Azulejo in Lisbon, a museum renowned for its extensive collection of Portuguese tiles. Carvalho, a researcher at the ARTIS Institute, has previously curated exhibitions related to the Viúva Lamego factory.

The Laboratório José de Figueiredo, pivotal in conservation and restoration, will now be directed by Rui Câmara Borges, known for his expertise in ancient metals and conservation techniques.

In Lisbon, Mariana Brandão, an expert in performance and dance history, will lead the Museu Nacional do Teatro e da Dança. Meanwhile, Margarida Donas Botto continues her interim role at the Jerónimos Monastery and Torre de Belém, and António Carvalho remains at the Museu Nacional de Arqueologia.

In Guimarães, Milton Pacheco is appointed director of the Paço dos Duques and Castelo de Guimarães, while Maria de Lurdes Rufino will oversee the Museu Alberto Sampaio.

This restructuring reflects a shift towards leaders with backgrounds in education and research, rather than purely museum-focused careers, aiming to enhance the cultural heritage of Portugal.