The Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC), Quinta Normal branch, is located in the historic building known as the “Palacio Versalles,” a neoclassical-style work designed by architect Alberto Cruz Montt in 1920, originally intended to house the Institute of the National Society of Agriculture. Subsequently, the property was renovated by the Cruzat-Kulczewski firm, preserving its architectural elegance.
In 1934, the property was transferred to the University of Chile, housing the Faculty of Agronomy until its relocation to the Antumapu campus in the 1970s. From then on, the building was transferred on loan to the Metropolitan Health Service of the West.
Recognized for its heritage value, the building was declared a National Monument in the category of Historic Conservation Property. Between 2004 and 2005, it was assigned to the Museum of Contemporary Art, an institution under the University of Chile, while renovations were carried out at its Parque Forestal location.
The MAC Quinta Normal branch officially opened its doors in April 2005, with the inaugural exhibition “Contrabandistas de imágenes: 26ª Bienal de São Paulo,” which featured 27 artists selected by the German curator Alfons Hug, who for the second time defined the curatorial guidelines for the prestigious Brazilian event.