Ministry of Education Commits R$10 Million to Brazilian Museum Agency

By Jay Forte, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The fire that destroyed ninety percent of the collection house at the National Museum of Rio de Janeiro, in Quinta da Boa Vista, triggered a series of actions by the federal government, including the recent release of nearly R$10 million.

In one month the government has named the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) as responsible for financial management, and created the Brazilian Museum Agency (ABRAM) at the same time as dissolving the Brazilian Institute of Museums (IBRAM).

After the tragic fire, it is time to turn the organizational changes into actions of recovery and restoration. The Ministries of Culture (MinC) and Education (MEC) have announced funds being released.

MEC committed to pass on R$10 million to UFRJ for emergency actions. Of the total, R$8.9 million were released. According to the executive secretary of MEC, Henrique Sartori, the value can increase to up to R$12 million, “depending on the need of UFRJ,” but there is no date defined yet.

According to Agência Brasil, Sartori said that the works are in the initial phase. “We are awaiting the conclusion of the investigation of the Federal Police [PF] that is still in Rio de Janeiro doing the expertise. Then the aftermath begins.”

The news agency reported that ABRAM will receive six percent of the proceeds from the contribution provided for in article 8 of Law 8.029/1990, an amount equivalent to about R$200 million, according to the Ministry of Culture (MinC).

MinC reported in a statement that “there are countless gains in terms of management, security, service, governance and sustainability, without any loss compared to what there is today. […] ABRAM will receive more resources, will have more agility and will be able to hire qualified professionals, […] This is a great evolution.”

These resources are currently directed to the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (SEBRAE), the Brazilian Promotion of Exports and Investments (Apex-Brasil) and the Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development.