Gas Natural SDG : Fenosa’s MAC and “la Caixa” strengthen their collaboration with the launch of new initiatives

• Twenty-five children at risk of social exclusion will participate twice a week in a comprehensive care programme at the museum facilities.

• This initiative joins Acompañ@arte, the support-through-art programme designed for people who are socially isolated, on which both entities have collaborated since 2015

• The 'la Caixa' Social Project, which is providing €40,000 for the development of both projects, is studying new methods of cultural, social and educational collaboration, together with the MAC.

The 'la Caixa' Social Project and the Gas Natural Fenosa Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) strengthen their collaboration with the launch of new initiatives to broaden the social programme offered by the latter entity.

Both parties will drive a social support programme for families at risk of poverty, which will be attended by 25 children between 4 and 10 years old, with diverse needs and abilities. Healthy lunches, academic and educational reinforcement, healthy activities and other complementary actions are some of the items included in the programme, which will be run throughout the year. The children will be looked after by qualified staff and accompanied by volunteers from Gas Natural Fenosa and 'la Caixa'.

This new initiative is in addition to Acompañ@arte, the support-through-art programme designed for people who are socially isolated, on which the MAC and 'la Caixa' have collaborated since 2015.

Both programmes have been confirmed today in a meeting held between CaixaBank Galicia Regional Director Mark Benhamou, MAC Director Carmen Fernández, and GAS NATURAL FENOSA's Galicia Representative Manuel Fernández Pellicer.

In the course of the meeting, new ways of collaborating within the cultural, social, and educational sectors were discussed, meaning that new proposals will be announced over the coming months.

The CaixaBank Director Marc Benhamou spoke to the MAC and Gas Natural Fenosa representatives about his satisfaction in being able to strengthen the continuing collaboration of 'la Caixa' with one of the cultural reference points in the city. He added 'I am sure that new actions will from these, as in our meeting we discussed other areas of shared interest between the MAC and 'la Caixa'.'

Meanwhile, GAS NATURAL FENOSA's Galicia representative Manuel Fernández Pellicer highlighted 'the MAC's broad range of activities in the area of social action, with a unique programme of social participation through contemporary art, which started in 2005.' The initiative is the first of its kind in Spain and is made possible through the collaboration of the Adaptasocial consultancy and specialist staff. It aims to improve the quality of life of people with functional disabilities and those experiencing social isolation through healthy leisure options using art and artistic experimentation. In 2016, more than 5,100 people have benefited from the MAC's social action programme.

'La Caixa' Social Project

'La Caixa''s commitment to the needs of the society where it does business and to people's well-being has been one of its defining characteristics since its launch in 1904, which has now gained a further dimension making it more unique than ever. Despite difficulties, the entity increased the budget for its Social Project to 510 million euros in 2017.

Gas Natural Fenosa Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC)

The Gas Natural Fenosa Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) is a multidisciplinary centre for contemporary culture. It is a dynamic, flexible and open space that combines exhibitions with public involvement and participation, in order to stimulate artistic creation in all areas of culture.

Over the years, MAC has consolidated its status not only as an exhibition site but also as a meeting place for artists, art-lovers and the public, offering an extensive programme of cultural, educational, social and artistic activities that include temporary exhibitions, lecture series and workshops for schools and professionals.

GAS NATURAL FENOSA has a museum of contemporary art of national and international importance, offering a wide range of diverse, appealing and valuable activities. The MAC aspires to represent the multinational power company's commitment to society beyond its business operations in such areas as education, youth, social welfare, art, culture and research. The MAC also sets the company apart from its peers and helps build its identity.

A Coruña, 23 March 2017.

Images

Gas Natural Fenosa General Representative in Galicia Manuel Fernández Pellicer CaixaBank Director Marc Benhamou and MAC Director Carmen Fernández.

Children participating in the programme.