Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao reopens after Norman Foster expansion

The Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao is set to reopen on October 6 following a major expansion designed by architect Norman Foster and Luis María Uriarte. The renovation adds more than 6,000 square meters of space, including new exhibition terraces and a prominent entrance atrium that connects the museum’s neoclassical 1945 building with its 1970s structure.

Director Miguel Zugaza noted that the reform provides a new dimension to the institution. The expansion transforms a former outdoor plaza into the museum’s first exhibition hall, featuring a monumental fountain dedicated to composer Arriaga. The new space also incorporates works by artists such as Anthony Caro, Anselm Kiefer, Chillida, and Richard Serra.

Local cultural organizations, including ABAO Bilbao Opera, have welcomed the reopening, stating that the expansion reinforces Bilbao’s status as a premier cultural destination and provides a more accessible space for future generations.