Connecting the Past with the Future: The New Proposals of the Canal Museum
By Ana Elizabeth González,
Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Canal Museum
2024 has marked a turning point for the Panama Canal Museum. Together we have achieved significant accomplishments that strengthen our mission to preserve and share Panamanian heritage, while positioning our institution and our country in the global cultural landscape. Thanks to your continued support, we have overcome challenges, created a more inclusive and enriching space for our visitors, and expanded our reach to connect with more people, breaking records with 92,123 visitors.
What awaits us in 2025
This year promises to be equally exciting and full of significant achievements. In January, we inaugurated our new Flag Gallerya space that celebrates the symbols and moments that have defined our national identity. This gallery houses an impressive collection of historical flags that have played a fundamental role in the construction of our nation. It is a tribute to this symbol whose colors intertwine the hopes, sacrifices and struggles of generations. A symbol that summons us, inspires us and, in the most difficult moments, reminds us of the strength of our unity.
Our flag has flown in squares as well as in the streets and demonstrations, in victories and challenges, being a constant reminder that, as long as there are Panamanians fighting for a more just, equitable and sustainable Panama, our flag will continue to be the beacon that guides our steps.
In parallel, we launched Vox Populia performance by Panamanian artist Jhafis Quintero. This project offers a second voice to Panamanian poets who, at the time, wrote literary pieces of protest in response to the US military presence on Panamanian soil. Jhafis explored our documentary collection and other sources to select these works, which will be transmitted in audio from a vehicle for buying and selling materials for casting. This exercise invites us to reflect on our history and the struggle for sovereignty, and will be active from January 8 to 21, reinforcing the link between contemporary art and the historical memory of Panama.
In addition Panama’s first pavilion at the Venice Biennale returns to the country. This exhibition, enriched by the prestige and international relevance achieved in Venice, will be reimagined to offer a unique experience. Not only will the works that made up the pavilion be presented, but visitors will be taken behind the scenes, exploring the process of the artists and the curatorial team, providing a deeper perspective on how this historic show was achieved. Under the title “Surcos: En el cuerpo y en la tierra,” this exhibition reflects the current migration crisis, with a particular focus on the context of Panama, interpreted by four artists through drawings, paintings, collages, glass sculptures, and installations. Together with our allies at the United Nations, we will expand the museum’s public program, reflecting on how the migration crisis affects hundreds of thousands of people who risk their lives for a better future.
Throughout 2025, we will continue the renovation of our permanent exhibition halls,with the culmination of the sixth phase scheduled for September. This phase will include the incorporation of the history of the French Canal and the process of its transfer to American hands during the construction of the Panama Canal. This renovation cycle will allow us to offer our visitors a more enriching and complete experience about the key milestones of our history. In addition, technological and sustainable innovations will be incorporated that will strengthen the link between our community and the history of the Panama Canal, ensuring a more accessible and modern experience. Through new interactive resources, we seek to offer a dynamic and educational experience, where each visitor can explore, learn and reflect in a unique way.
We are also continuing to expand our artist residency program Faroa space to research, experiment, and create, aimed at emerging artists who want to establish a critical dialogue between their artistic practice and the museum in its environment, its collections and audiences, as well as with the history of the country. This year, we are excited to announce that the selected artist in residence is Ana Elena Tejera, whose work promises to further enrich our multidisciplinary approach in the space of ‘The Route for Sovereignty 1964-1999’. We are eager to begin working with her, confident that her vision and artistic practice will bring a new perspective to our museum, while connecting us with the history of Panama from a contemporary perspective.
In November, we will inaugurate a new space dedicated to temporary exhibitions, conceived to host a wide variety of proposals that invite reflection and learning. This room will expand our capacities to offer diverse cultural experiences, opening a space for topics of both local and global interest. The opening will feature an exhibition by Isabel De Obaldía, a work that we are excited to present.
Connected to the world
Thanks to each of you, the Canal Museum has not only been a local reference, but also an institution that has strengthened on the international scene. Our global connection continues to grow, and with each new exhibition and collaboration, we reaffirm our commitment to bring the richness of Panamanian culture beyond our borders.
In 2025, the Canal Museum will continue to consolidate its international presence with several key events. In May, we will be invited panelists at the American Alliance of Museums (AAM)), where we will share our experiences and learn from other institutions on a global level. Later, in November, we will participate in the International Council of Museums (ICOM) Trienniala key event that will address fundamental issues on regulatory processes, repatriation of cultural goods, illicit trafficking of heritage, and the code of ethics for museums worldwide. Our participation in this event will allow us to represent Panama in the creation of international guidelines to support the development, protection, and sustainability of museums, reaffirming our commitment to best practices and global cultural exchange.
In addition, we will host three important international conferences that will address crucial issues for the future of culture and heritage. In March, we will host the 2025 Congress of the Society of Latin American and Caribbean Anthropology (SLACA), with the theme (Im)mobility and Memory in Latin America and the Caribbean. This congress will bring together experts and scholars to reflect on the contemporary challenges of our region. In April, we will host a congress with the Smithsonian Institution, titled Reckoning with our Racial Past, which will delve deeper into the analysis of our racial past and its implications for the present. Finally, in June, we will host the 5th APOYO Regional Congress on Cultural Heritage and Sustainability online, which will address critical topics such as climate change, collections at risk, and the essential role of community engagement in preservation efforts.
Our outreach to the community:
In 2024 alcanzamos a 21,811 estudiantes de las 10 provincias del país through our educational program. This year, our goal is to reach even more, with an expanded offering of educational activities and workshops that will benefit a greater number of young people, promoting accessible and quality education in all communities. Through our programs, we seek to inspire and educate future generations, creating lasting links with our history and heritage.
Our public program continues to offer a variety of activities, encouraging community participation in the cultural life of the museum. Among our most notable initiatives are Libros & Beats, a space to enjoy reading and music; Late Nights at the Museum, where visitors can explore our exhibitions in a unique, nocturnal environment and celebrate their heritage; MUCI Summer and Children's Guides, where the little ones take ownership of our museum, and family workshops that allow everyone to learn and create together. In addition, we organize film series that explore historical and cultural themes, as well as academic dialogues in which experts reflect on key aspects of our identity and heritage. We are also committed to commemorating significant dates, such as the 100th anniversary of the Dule Revolution, celebrating crucial moments in our history. Our gastronomic events, which combine the history of Panama with its rich culinary tradition, offer a sensory experience that links Panamanian culture with local gastronomy, creating a space for enjoyment and learning.
Platform for culture:
We continue our mission as a platform for art and culture, strengthening our strategic alliances and expanding our cultural offering. This year, we will once again host important events such as Hay Forum (January) and IFF Panama (April), consolidating our position as a cultural reference in the region. Through these collaborations, we seek to generate a space for the exchange of ideas, reflection and artistic creation, always with the goal of connecting the Panamanian community with the best of national and international culture.
Research and heritage: Our documentary center in action
The Canal Museum team is committed to research and in-depth analysis of Panama's history and heritage. Through our research, we seek to shed light on little-explored aspects of our cultural identity, including the country's social, political and economic history. Our documentary center and library play a crucial role in this process, being an invaluable resource for historians, anthropologists, ethnographers and other researchers seeking original and primary material for their studies. With a vast collection of archives, historical documents, photographs and specialized publications, we provide access to a rich source of information that contributes to the advancement of knowledge about Panama and its Canal, allowing our research to be a key tool for both academic study and the preservation of our collective memory.
A multidisciplinary team at the service of history
This work would not be possible without the tireless efforts of our team, a multidisciplinary and creative group that, with passion and dedication, shares the same purpose: to bring the history of Panama closer and better to everyone. Together, we explore new ways of telling our stories, of connecting the different disciplines of art, history and technology. Thanks to their commitment and talent, the Canal Museum is a living space, constantly evolving, and always ready to offer the community and the world new experiences and knowledge.
I would like to express a special thanks to the Board of Directors of the Canal Museum for their continued support, assistance and strategic vision. Thanks to their commitment to our mission, we have managed to advance towards ambitious goals and remain firm in our purpose of being a cultural reference both nationally and internationally.
I would also like to extend a sincere thanks to our valued partners: the Panama Canal, whose collaboration has been fundamental to our mission of preserving and promoting the history of our country; to Mercantil, for its constant support in the development of our programs and exhibitions; to the Sus Buenos Vecinos Foundation, whose commitment to the well-being of our community has been key to achieving our goals. Without their collaboration, many of our achievements would not have been possible. To all of them, our deepest gratitude for their trust and their commitment to the future of the Canal Museum.
Thank you for being part of our history
I want to take this moment to express my deepest gratitude to all who have been part of this incredible journey: our visitors, allies, sponsors, donors, work teams, and, of course, our Board of Directors and Trustees. Each of our exhibitions, activities and events comes to life thanks to the enthusiasm and support of all of you, who not only make it possible for the museum to continue growing, but also make it a space full of encounter, learning and inspiration.
Thank you for being part of what we are today. Without your constant support, we would not have achieved these milestones. I am excited about everything that awaits us in 2025 and I invite you to continue being an active part of our community, to enjoy our exhibitions, to join our activities and to continue celebrating the history and culture of Panama together.
The best is yet to come!
With all my love and gratitude,
Ana Elizabeth González
Executive Director and Chief Curator
Panama Canal Museum
