Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI
Noche MALI (MALI Night) is an activity focused on public exchange and accessibility, directed by the Public Programs Curatorship of the Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI. This event takes place on the last Friday of each month, where the museum extends its hours, offers reduced admission fees, and invites the public to immerse themselves in a unique and unrepeatable cultural experience. With an accessible and diverse program of activities, this event provides an enriching alternative for enjoying art and music at MALI.
During Noche MALI, visitors can explore the exhibition halls through special tours designed by our educational department and led by the museum’s mediators. These guides share stories and perspectives that delve into MALI's collections and exhibitions, offering a comprehensive view of the artistic richness housed in the museum, as well as an opportunity for exchange with visitors.
The event includes creative workshops where participants can develop their artistic side through hands-on activities that explore themes such as identity, memory, tradition, and diversity. One of the night’s most lively moments is Baila MALI Baila (Dance MALI Dance), a series of dance sessions held in the museum’s central courtyard, led by instructors from MALI Education, encouraging attendees to let loose and enjoy the rhythm, energy, and joy.
To close the evening, Noche MALI offers an open-air concert in the museum's atrium, featuring renowned national musicians and emerging talents, covering a wide variety of musical styles. To date, MALI has had the privilege of hosting major figures in Peruvian music, who have wrapped up the event with a flourish, leaving attendees with an unforgettable cultural experience.
Explain in one sentence why you think the project you nominate is outstanding and could serve as an example for the entire community of modern and contemporary art museums.The project is outstanding because it demonstrates how a museum can challenge the perception of being a space reserved only for a specific social class, particularly in a country with significant social inequalities like Peru. The project has broken barriers by seamlessly integrating cultural accessibility, education, and community engagement, creating an inclusive and dynamic environment that fosters deeper connections with art and enriches the visitor experience.
Explain why this practice or program is relevant and sustainable in creating meaningful and lasting connections with people, communities, and the museum context with a medium to long-term vision.
The project is relevant and sustainable because it prioritizes accessibility, inclusivity, community engagement, and enjoyment, making art and culture accessible to a broader audience. The program’s consistency, occurring monthly, ensures ongoing engagement and fosters long-term relationships with the community, NPS surveys have shown that 32% of attendees are repeat visitors at each edition, while 56% are new visitors who come to MALI with high expectations driven by our programming.
Each edition of Noche MALI is structured around a specific thematic focus, allowing us to engage various communities connected to these themes. For instance, in the February edition, we celebrate carnival, designing activities that include traditional dances from the central Andean region of Peru, featuring dance ensembles and patronal bands. In March, we focus on highlighting the work of women artists while also supporting the arts sector through micro fairs to provide women and mothers to showcase and sell their artwork.
In June, the edition is dedicated to commemorating Pride Month. During this occasion, we invite various associations and collectives from the LGTBIQ+ community to present diverse proposals, celebrate with a grand ball, and feature drag queen performances. Additionally, through fairs in the museum’s grand hall, we promote not only the celebration of diversity but also the economic empowerment of artists and entrepreneurs within this community.
In this way, Noche MALI is not only a cultural gathering space but also a venue where inclusion and the recognition of the multiple identities that enrich our society come together.