The José Aurélio Foundation: A Second Life, Growing Stronger
The Foundation was established in March 2007, the same month that Armazém first opened its doors to the public, based on a very simple conviction: that access to contemporary art should be democratic, free from obscure discourse intended only for those already familiar with the subject. During those first five years, with exhibitions such as “Escultura com Afectos” (2007) and “Modelar o Espaço” (2009), Armazém welcomed approximately 12,000 visitors before closing its doors in March 2012.
The story began anew in March 2023, with the support of the Municipality of Alcobaça and a symbolic exhibition, “Article 4,” which showcased for the first time, in its entirety, the collection of contemporary art assembled over decades by José Aurélio and donated to the Foundation. It was also at that time that several other initiatives were launched, some one-time events and others ongoing, such as “Vinil à Hora,” the “sunset parties,” the “artist’s room,” and many others.
Since then, growth has not stopped: from just over 5,400 visitors in 2023, Armazém grew to over 11,000 in 2024 (a 100% increase) and to over 10,000 in 2025, the year in which it began charging admission for the first time (with free admission on Thursdays). It launched the“Amigo do Armazém” and “Student” membership cards and formally joined the Portuguese Contemporary Art Network (RPAC). In total, there have been more than 20,000 visitors since the reopening. Two new spaces within the building have also come to life: the Galeria do Armazém, dedicated to urban and emerging art, and the Black Box. Alongside the exhibitions, there is now an ongoing program of cultural outreach, guided tours, and activities for schools and families, designed to make contemporary art accessible and understandable to everyone, without compromising on quality or rigor.
None of this would be possible without a network of partners that has grown alongside the project: the Municipality of Alcobaça; DGArtes and RPAC; the Alcobaça Music Academy; S.A. Marionetas; and institutions such as Cistermúsica, ESAD, CENCAL, and the D. Inês de Castro Secondary School, among others. It was also this institutional maturity—and recognition of the work accomplished—that led, in May 2026, to the name change: from Armazém das Artes – Cultural Foundation to the José Aurélio Foundation, in honor of its founder, while retaining “Armazém das Artes” as the name of the venue in Alcobaça.
It is precisely during this phase of heightened ambition that “Territory: Frontiers in Public Art” was conceived—the project that has now brought you here. Curated by Hyland Mather and supported by DGArtes through RPAC, it brings together ten national and international artists in a network connecting Armazém das Artes (where the main exhibition will be on view from October 2026 to March 2027) to Galeria NovaOgiva in Óbidos, and the Sines Arts Center, featuring interventions in public spaces, a series of talks, a shared catalog, and a calendar of activities extending through 2028. It therefore makes perfect sense that, as a Territory artist, he is bringing this new chapter in the history of the Armazém to life.
