The Prado get newer, more flexible status

[ASUmusicMAN]

The Prado get newer, more flexible status ? and discovers Michelangelo drawings

The Spanish government has approved a proposal to increase the power of trustees

By Laura Suffield

The semi-autonomous status envisioned for the Prado Museum, and approved by the Spanish parliament in November 2003, has taken a significant step forward. On 12 March, the Council of Ministers passed the royal decree approving the statute that will enable the legislation approved by parliament to be implemented.

The statute covers issues such as the structure and competences of the museum?s governing bodies, employment of staff and wages, budget, financial control and accounting, most of which are already set out in the 2003 law which gained the approval of Spain?s main political parties.

New elements in the decree refer to the composition of the board of trustees, including the presence of two members chosen by the Royal Academy of History and the Royal San Fernando Academy of Fine Arts, and two more nominated by the Consejo del Patrimonio Histórico (Commission for Historic Patrimony). The remaining trustees (in addition to the 11 permanent ones, who include figures such as the mayor of Madrid, the Secretary of State for Culture, the Director General of Fine Arts and Patrimony and the museum?s director), up to a maximum of 15, will be chosen by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport from recognised authorities in subjects relating to Spain?s cultural heritage. These board members can occupy their positions for a period of five years, renewable no more than twice.

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