MACAAL, or the Museum of African Contemporary Art in Marrakech, is one of the most innovative, daring, and interesting museums in the city and the entire country. It demonstrates a firm commitment to local contemporary art and exhibits one of the richest and most varied collections on the continent. Therefore, if you like art and culture, a visit can be a magnificent addition to your trip.
MACAAL Building and History
MACAAL is a personal commitment of philanthropists Alami and Farida Lazraq, creators of one of the leading real estate companies in Morocco. Through their Alliances Foundation, they have managed to gather a vast collection of African contemporary art, and therefore decided to promote this museum, completed in 2016 but officially opened in 2018.
The architect responsible for the project was the Frenchman Didier Lefort, with architecture that, like the Yves-Saint Laurent museum, is inspired by the environment: clean volumes of red brick, like that used in the historic center of Marrakech and throughout Berber architecture. Its interior of open and bright spaces helps create a perfect atmosphere for the visit.
Reopening in 2025
In 2023, the museum temporarily closed its doors for improvement works, also coinciding with the devastating earthquake that the city suffered. In February 2025, it reopened its doors and has since sought to position itself as one of the leading exhibition and artistic innovation centers in Africa.
Its Collection, Based on Verbs
The MACAAL collection includes a large number of Moroccan and African artists in general, such as Leila Alaoui, Ahmed Cherkaoui, Malick Sidibé, Farid Belkahia, and Billie Zangewa. The total number of works managed by the museum exceeds 2,000, in disciplines as varied as painting, sculpture, photography, textile art, and video art.
With regard to its presentation in the rooms, the spaces are grouped by verbs: connect, coexist, converge… A declaration of intent, as it denotes a commitment to action: the goal is to position itself as a museum with personality, which vindicates the languages and codes of African art.
Beyond the enormous variety of works, a strong and special color is perceived, where the pride of the tribal, the connection with nature, and the taste for the primitive are distilled as hallmarks of Africa: a lowest common denominator that makes this continent, its artists, and, in general, its people so special.
Where is MACAAL
MACAAL is located in the southeast area of Marrakech, in the neighborhood known as Al Maaden. Precisely, it is very close to the Al Maaden Golf Resort, a complex that is also owned by the promoters of the museum: the Lazraq family. It is a high-level residential area where luxury hotels and accommodations have also been built, making it one of the most exclusive areas of the city.
Practical information
If you are planning to visit MACAAL, here is some useful information that you should know beforehand:
- Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. During the month of Ramadan, from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM
- Price: 120 MAD. Free for children under 12 and students. 60 MAD for citizens or residents in Africa. Special prices for groups.
- Official website: https://www.macaal.org/
- Postal address: Al Maaden, Sidi Youssef Ben Ali. 40000 Marrakech
- Phone: +212 (0)676 92 44 92
- Email: [email protected]
