Mexico City's major art museums closed amid union dispute

"The INBAL oversees Mexican heritage from the 20th century onward, managing 29 schools, 18 museums and several theatres. It was created in 2015, under the ministry of culture, to centralise cultural policy after years under the ministry of education. Budget cuts- including a projected 20% reduction for INBAL in 2026 -along with longstanding structural issues, have weakened the ministry of culture."

""The ministry was founded to restructure cultural organisations, yet it has failed to do so," says a person with direct knowledge of the inner workings of INBAL, speaking to The Art Newspaper on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. The closure highlights a key issue within INBAL: the disparity in working conditions and budget distribution between unionised workers-who often serve in administrative and operational roles-and independent contractors, known as Capítulo 3000, a budgetary category for temporary service contracts."

""Some unions close cultural spaces to pursue their interests and exercise political influence, while Capítulo 3000 workers, often qualified experts in key roles, lack benefits and face delayed pay," explains a former INBAL worker who resigned due to the harsh conditions. The strike revolved mainly around uniform procurement. Unions representing INBAL workers demanded they be provided prepaid cards with which to purchase uniforms, allowing more flexibility, instead of INBAL distributing garments already purchased and which "are underuse"

Several cultural organisations affiliated with Mexico's National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature (INBAL), including major Mexico City museums, closed unexpectedly on 9–10 September due to union demands over working conditions and uniforms. Institutions reopened on 11 September after behind-closed-doors negotiations. INBAL oversees 20th-century Mexican heritage, managing 29 schools, 18 museums and multiple theatres, and was created in 2015 to centralise cultural policy. Budget cuts, including a projected 20% reduction for INBAL in 2026, and longstanding structural problems have weakened the ministry of culture. The dispute revealed disparities between unionised staff and Capítulo 3000 independent contractors, and centred on uniform procurement and payment methods.

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