Institut Valencia d'Art Modern Curators Accused of Inflating Visitor Numbers

The Institut Valencia d'Art Modern (IVAM) reported that it attracted more than a million visitors two years ago, becoming one of the most attended museums in the world.

However, an audit finds that those numbers were not only inflated but the museum also overpaid for works, and had links to the Chinese mafia.

According to reports, the allegations raised "relate to the 10 years the IVAM was run by Consuelo Ciscar, who stepped down as its curator in April last year, citing "personal reasons"."

Read the full report here.

The Institut Valencià d'Art Modern, also known by the acronym IVAM, was the first center ofmodern art created in Spain, opening in 1989 in the city of Valencia. The Institut Valencià d'Art Modern is an important center for modern and contemporary art in Spain and Europe. It is in position 52 of the 100 most visited museums in the world.

The museum shows continuous developments of art and photography of the twentieth century. It offers both a 10,000-strong permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, discussions, courses and conferences, workshops and concerts related to exhibitions organized and other fields of contemporary art. It has two spaces: the Centre Julio González, a new building which opened in 1989 featuring the museum's collection along with other temporary signs and the Board of the Wall, located in the basement of the building that remains of the former Medieval fortifications of the city, and now houses temporary exhibitions.

Jointly organized with the San Diego Museum of Art, IVAM mounted a major exhibition on Joaquín Sorolla in its first year, culling paintings from collections throughout Europe and the United States.

Photo Credit: "IVAM 1" by Silvestre, Valencia (Spain) - Own work, Camera: Mini PenCam©.. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons