I took this picture back in the summer to show the crowds rushing into MUCEM when the gates opened at 11am. It has been such a success with people loving the daring adaptation of the old fort linked to the flamboyant modern museum…and of course those amazing views of the sea. I haven’t met one person who didn’t find it a wonderful experience.
But ‘La Provence’ is reporting that there are question marks over its finances.
The Cour des comptes acknowledged the museum’s critical success and its popularity with the public but pointed to the fact that the building had cost 350m euros rather than the 218m euros envisaged. This was due to the borrowing costs but also to extras during the build. Apparently 15m unbudgeted euros went on the innovative use of concrete which had never been tried on a building and is, in addition, unexpectedly expensive to maintain.
The report has many recommendations which La Provence doesn’t itemise, but says that the new director has to ensure that ‘le contenu’ is as worthy as the ‘contenant’. Which sounds like they aren’t getting enough income from all the visitors.
My recommendations as an occasional visitor would be:
- Have more accessible temporary exhibitions. For instance, ‘Food’ which is on at the moment had me perplexed. What it was trying to communicate I don’t know. The gallery was completely empty which should ring alarm bells with the management. (It’s just been extended to 9th March). The ‘Dépardon’ photography on the other hand was lovely – the best thing I’ve seen at MUCEM by a mile. (Ends 1st March). Host exhibitions that people want to pay to see.
- Communicate. What’s on next month? No idea. Can’t find anything to tell me on the website. Not good for people planning visits to MUCEM. Most international museums lay out their programmes for the next 12 months to help holiday-makers and those in the tourist trade.
- Improve catering provision. Too many queues at both snack outlet on ground floor and the restaurants above. They could be selling twice as much.
Have you visited MUCEM? What do you think?
aixcentric 
I totally agree with your suggestions! Spot on! Why is it so hard to communicate in the south of France? The Parisian museums all have up-to-date informative websites, and block-buster, or at least interesting, shows.
No I don’t know what planet they are on, marketing-wise, either. As an ex-marketer, I do find it frustrating which is really why I started the blog…to do some positive and timely communications; but they don’t make it easy for me!
I agree that MUCEM needs some tweaks. Last May I visited and loved the building, setting and ambiance. I was a bit disappointed in the quality of the exhibits. Some were stunning and others limited and undefined. I hope all the problems can be rectified soon. Great asset to Marseille. BTW live your blog
Yes some of the exhibitions have been pretty odd! Glad you like the blog….
All the exhibitions i have seen were disappointing. I did not find any structure. The Building is amazing. The entrance closes at 17.15 – much to early, already twice I trieed to argue at 17.20 to get in- no way.
I think you make a good point about the early closing – plus it’s shut on a Tuesday. Perhaps they will have to be more flexible on opening times to boost income. As you say, it is an amazing building so why not keep it open longer!
All the above comments bear out my impression that the exhibits are not the museum’s strong point. We found the permanent exhibition heavy going. It’s the structure itself that is amazing and it can be enjoyed free of charge, so no income generated there! They need someone as clear-thinking as the curator of the “Regards de Provence” : beautifully laid out, with a comfortable restaurant that serves good food.
When we have visitors, we just walk around MUCEM, enjoying the free views and pay to see an exhibition at “Regards…
That tells you there’s a problem… which I hope they will solve.
Keep blogging, Lynn! Couldn’t do without you!
I totally agree…I just wish they would bring ‘Matisse Arabesque’ from Rome. It’s very Mediterranean in theme and would have queues of punters right along La Joliette!
Totally agree about the food exhibition – what was it about? But the photography exhibition was excellent. The main exhibition I enjoyed but nearly only saw only the first quarter of it as we didn’t realise it carried on round the corner. My main gripe was we arrived early t have a full day but the museum did not open until 11am so we wasted an hour having a coffee across the road – nowhere to wait at the museum and then we joined the long queue to get in…
But it is a stunningly beautiful museum with lots of potential
I thought the Food exhibition was bonkers, from the metre-cube of garlic onwards. And the ‘explanations’ in the handout were priceless. But yes the Dépardon exhibition was very stimulating, a pleasure to visit.
It’s a fantastic building but I understand why it’s not making much money.