- "Marcos de mira" is a cultural education and social action programme with which the Endesa Foundation and the Prado Museum bring art and culture closer to people, in particular those who are least able to access culture.
- The second edition of this initiative will see 300 beneficiaries from 10 non-profit organisations that assist groups in vulnerable situations in Spain participate.
- Each group participates in two sessions, one theoretical and the other practical, taught by art professionals and contemporary artists who help participants to "enter" the works of the Museum and bring out their most creative side.
Endesa Foundation and the Prado National Museum have just launched the second edition of their "Marcos de mira" programme, an initiative that seeks to bring art closer to vulnerable groups with difficulties in accessing culture and, in particular, museums and their contents. Through tours of the rooms of its permanent collection, participants have the opportunity to learn the keys necessary for a first approach to the world of art.
Both entities, aware that the lack of access to culture is a problem that affects people at risk of social exclusion, launched this program in 2022. These groups are often deprived of enjoying and fully participating in artistic activities, making it difficult for them to broaden their horizons, develop their creative potential and access the personal enrichment that culture provides. The first edition saw 208 people participate, and for many of them this was the first time they had the experience of visiting a museum.
This year, the aim has been to expand the reach of the initiative and it is expected that up to 300 people will have the opportunity to participate in "Marcos de mira". Participants are all beneficiaries of foundations and associations such as Caritas, the Integra Foundation, Secretariado Gitano, La Merced Migraciones, Centro de Acogida Puerta Abierta, Colegio Sagrado Corazón, Commissioner for the Victims of Terrorism, Centro de Rehabilitación Psicosocial (CRPS) Los Cármenes, Centro de Participación e Integración de Inmigrantes de Arganzuela (CEPI- Arganzuela) and the IANUAM Foundation.
The second edition of "Marcos de Mira" started a few days ago and beneficiaries from the IAUNAM Foundation and Fundación La Merced Migraciones have already participated, with the other groups due to participate in the coming months. In the words of Brian Jesús Mujica, a Venezuelan national who arrived in Spain in May and participated thanks to his involvement with Fundación Merced Migraciones, "this is a wonderful activity, which allows you to connect with works of art and appreciate them in a deeper and more striking way. It is an enriching experience and one that needs to continue reaching more people, as I am convinced that they will love it as much as I do."
Cheick Tidiane Sane, a Senegalese national who has been in Spain for just over a year, is another beneficiary of "Marcos de mira" and loved this initiative. "I really enjoyed it because I've never been to a museum before. I have never seen so many works of art, this experience has made me want to learn more about art and visit other museums."
During 2024, Endesa employees will have the opportunity to participate in this initiative, enjoying a private guided tour on which they will learn about the Museum's most famous works in a way that they have never done before.
The Marcos de mira initiative
"Marco" is the Spanish term for "frame" and is a word used in daily lexicon. It is used to refer to the object that surrounds a painting and protects a painting, a drawing, a photograph, etc. But, at the same time, it highlights and directs our gaze towards the interior of the story that the work tells. In this case, it symbolises the framework through which each of us interprets a work and refers to the fact that things change according to our perspective, that is, according to how we look at them and, in addition, this influences how the people around us perceive them.
"Marcos de mira" is structured around three thematic pillars: "Light and Colour", "Symbology and Iconography", "Space and Painting". There are three Museum tours that allow participants to discover key concepts to interpret its works of art and that serve as starting points for unlocking the sensitive, emotional and creative capacities shared by all people.
Each of the three itineraries takes place over two three-hour sessions. The first session looks at the theoretical portion, allowing participants to "immerse themselves in" the works. It consists of a conceptual session, through a tour of the Museum's permanent collection and is aimed at familiarizing them with the works and learning easily about concepts related to them, such as light, color, symbology, among others.
This experience is rounded off with a practical portion, involving workshops designed by contemporary artists and accompanied by the Museum's education team. In it, participants can unleash their creativity and demonstrate everything they have learned.
All educational material generated at the sessions will be available online on the Museo del Prado website and can be accessed by everybody.
Associations participating in Marcos de mira
Caritas Spain, an official confederation of social and charitable action organisations of the Catholic Church in Spain, which promotes the full development of people, especially the poorest and most excluded from society.
Fundación Integra, which helps people in social exclusion and people with disabilities to reach their personal fulfilment by helping them to enter the job market.
Fundación Secretariado Gitano, which carries out all kinds of actions that contribute to improving the living conditions of Roma, promoting equal treatment and avoiding all forms of discrimination, as well as promoting the recognition of the cultural identity of the Roma community.
Fundación La Merced Migraciones, which seeks to ensure the protection and promotion of the inclusion of migrants and refugees in vulnerable situations, with special emphasis on young people over 18 years of age who arrive without their family in Spain.
Centro de Acogida Puerta Abierta, shelter run by the City Council of Madrid, managed by Grupo 5, whose objective is the care of homeless people.
Colegio Sagrado Corazón, a non-profit educational institution in Madrid that promotes quality education at all levels based on values, to generate a real impact on society with the help of the school's students and their families.
Commissioner for the Victims of Terrorism, in the Community of Madrid, which aims to provide support to this collective and their families, in addition to others, as well as undertaking actions that promote awareness across society.
Centro de Rehabilitación Psicosocial (CRPS) Los Cármenes of the region of Madrid, which offers free social care to people between 18 and 65 years old with psychosocial disabilities and integration difficulties derived from severe mental disorders.
Madrid-Arganzuela Centre which, managed by the Altius Foundation, informs, advises and provides services to the immigrant community, as well as Spaniards residing in the Community of Madrid.
The IANUAM Foundation organises projects that promote humanitarian actions for the purposes of development cooperation and social welfare, with particular attention placed on marginalised groups and those with integration difficulties, such as dependent people and their families.
About Endesa Foundation
This year, the Endesa Foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary. A quarter of a century of social work that enables us to look to the future with the challenge of continuing to progress, with a broad and conscious outlook on human beings and the rest of the species that surround us to build a world in which there is room for everyone.
To this end, the Endesa Foundation contributes to social development and the conservation of biodiversity through education, training for employment, culture, volunteering and biodiversity projects so that there is a future in which we can all live together and in balance.
For more information, please visit: www.fundacionendesa.org