Madrid is filled with Meninas: 30 sculptures will take over the city streets from November 15 to December 15
2026/11/12
Madrid will once again transform into an open-air museum with the arrival of a new edition of Meninas Madrid Gallery , one of the capital's most recognizable urban exhibitions. From November 15 to December 15, a total of 30 sculptures inspired by Diego Velázquez's popular masterpiece will be installed at various locations throughout the city, bringing art closer to residents and visitors alike.
Under the slogan 'Madrid, the city where dreams take shape', the ninth edition of this initiative will bring together artistic proposals from creators, designers, brands, organizations, and personalities from various fields. The sculptures, originally designed by Antonio Azzato, will offer different interpretations of the Menina figure and will transform the streets of Madrid into a cultural route that combines creativity, tradition, and solidarity.
The exhibition is promoted by the Department of Economy, Innovation and Finance of the Madrid City Council, in collaboration with the Business Association of Textile, Accessories and Leather Trade (Acotex), and has the support of the municipal program 'Everything is in Madrid'. Its aim is to bring culture closer to all audiences and, at the same time, boost commercial and hospitality activity in the different neighborhoods.
An exhibition with tributes and messages of solidarity
Among this year's proposals are several sculptures with a strong social focus. One will be dedicated to the victims of the Urda train accident, as a memorial and tribute to all those affected by the tragedy. There will also be a Menina sculpture in homage to the victims of the Venezuelan earthquake and another dedicated to the city of Ceuta.
Sport will also be represented with a sculpture dedicated to the Spanish national football team, commemorating their second World Cup victory. These tributes will be complemented by other initiatives related to education, inclusion, and social commitment.
One of the new features of this edition will be the participation of three schools from Madrid, Huesca, and Argentina. Their proposals were selected from an international call for entries that received more than 150,000 drawings from over 1,000 schools. The chosen designs will be transformed into sculptures that will bring the creativity and imagination of children and young people to the public space.
The Little Wish Foundation will also participate, presenting a collective Menina sculpture created from drawings by children associated with the organization, which works to grant the wishes of children with serious illnesses. The initiative coincides with a special moment for the foundation, which reached 8,000 fulfilled wishes last September.
Artists, designers and well-known faces participate in the 2026 edition
Meninas Madrid Gallery will once again feature collaborations with prominent figures from the worlds of culture, music, and fashion. Among the participants in this ninth edition are Venezuelan actor Edgar Ramírez, the Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning band Rawayana, Spanish designer Pablo Erroz, and Victoria Federica de Marichalar y Borbón.
Local talent will also play a leading role with a sculpture dedicated to 'Made in Madrid,' the city's seal of approval that recognizes the quality and creativity of the capital's economic activity. This piece will pay tribute to Madrid's artisans, workshops, and creators, especially those linked to sectors such as fashion, design, gastronomy, and crafts.
In addition, each sculpture will have a QR code so that visitors can consult its history, learn the message it conveys, and access a virtual representation of the work.
A tour to discover Madrid through art
Beyond its artistic dimension, Meninas Madrid Gallery offers a different way to experience the capital. The sculptures will be distributed throughout Madrid, blending into the urban landscape and becoming an attraction for discovering the city's neighborhoods, streets, and spaces.
The initiative also aims to boost local businesses and the hospitality sector, inviting visitors to explore the shops and establishments they encounter along the way. In this way, the exhibition combines culture and leisure with the promotion of local economic activity.
Since its first edition in 2018, the project has brought together more than 380 works and the participation of over 270 artists and creators. Furthermore, it has raised more than one million euros for various charities through sculpture auctions.
At the end of the exhibition, the loaned Meninas will be auctioned. 80% of the proceeds will go to foundations and charities, while the remaining 20% will ensure the project's continuation.
With this new edition, Madrid revives one of its most popular open-air cultural events, inviting locals and tourists alike to discover the city from a different perspective. From November 15th to December 15th, the Meninas will once again grace the streets, demonstrating that art can be enjoyed while strolling through Madrid.