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Barcelona Launches Public Art Plan for Six Permanent Works in 2027

A €1.5 million plan revives Barcelona’s push to turn streets into an open‑air museum.

Overview

  • Barcelona’s government, which unveiled the program Friday, will install six permanent artworks across the city in 2027.
  • Three tributes are defined with likely sites: Ildefons Cerdà at Plaça Universitat, Montserrat CaballéFreddie Mercury at Plaça de les Glòries, and entrepreneurship in the 22@ district.
  • A Council of Public Art made up of city museums and cultural offices will select locations and artists, inviting trios of established creators for the themed works and running an open call for emerging talent.
  • Funding totals €1.5 million for 2026–2027, with €400,000 budgeted per commissioned piece and €100,000 per emerging piece.
  • Installations are targeted for early 2027, and officials aim to restart yearly public‑art purchases after 2027, while some neighborhood groups oppose a Caballé statue because of her past tax‑fraud conviction.