The three Dalí museums receive 817,000 visitors in 2022, 23% less than in 2019

The three Dalí museums received 817,000 visitors in 2022, 106% more than in 2021 and 23% less than in 2019. In 2022 the Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation obtained a surplus of 4.5 million of euros, a 15.76% improvement compared to 2019. These are some of the data disclosed by the president of the Foundation, Jordi Mercader, in a meeting with the media. Mercader highlighted that one of the highlights of the season, which was already announced, is the exhibition at the beginning of November of Dalí's 'Christ', which belongs to the Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow. Based on questions from journalists, he has not ruled out the possibility of going ahead with a fourth museum, although there is currently no project on the table.

In 2022, the Dalí Foundation obtained a profit of 4.5 million euros, a figure that represents a 15.76% improvement compared to 2019. In fact, the income in 2022 was 15.3 million euros and the costs, 10.7 million. The Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation has pointed out that this surplus is the result of "the significant decrease in expenditure and a recovery in income as a result of the increase in tourist flows and greater efficiency of the institution".

Mercader has detailed that part of the profits have been allocated to the generation of new projects, content and formats, among others, and 506,000 euros have been invested in the conservation of the work and the museums and in the maintenance of infrastructures, and more than 831,000 euros in security improvements.

In terms of visitors, the three Dalí museums received 817,000 visitors, a figure that represents an increase of 106% compared to 2021, but which is still 23% below 2019. Mercader highlighted that the recovery has of allowing to approach pre-pandemic figures during 2023.

Regarding the distribution of visitors by country, those coming from France (36%), the rest of the State (15%) and Catalonia (10%) stand out.

action plan

Mercader has announced that they are working on a three-year action plan, which will have the following objectives: internationalize the Foundation, consolidate its prestige, invest in physical assets and heritage conservation, expand the funds with the purchase of works that help explain Dalí's legacy, create a center for research and reflection on the challenges posed by art and museums in contemporary societies, as well as develop new narratives and formats. He has also raised gender as another major axis through the figure of Gala.

The Foundation has pointed out that they have adopted a new governance that includes a Code of Ethics. In this context, they have created a confidential and anonymous complaint box that will be available to all their employees.

He has also announced the appointment of two new lifelong members of the Board of Trustees, Estrella de Diego and David Vegara, replacing Ana Beristain and Josep Vilarasau, who have submitted their resignation "after years of dedication to the institution".

'Christ' of Glasgow

As already announced, one of the foundation's most important projects will take place at the beginning of November when the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres will exhibit Salvador Dalí's 'Christ', which belongs to the Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow.

Fourth museum

As explained by Mercader, based on questions from journalists, the Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation does not rule out the possibility of a fourth museum, along with the three already existing. In fact, he has said that they have the content to do so. Currently, however, there is no project on the table in this regard and Mercader has made it clear that they are not thinking of a specific location, although it would not be in Figueres.