Several of Mexico City's most prestigious art museums, including the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Museo de Arte Moderno, and Museo Nacional de Arte, abruptly closed their doors last week due to a union dispute over working conditions and uniforms. The cultural institutions, all affiliated with Mexico's National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature (INBAL), suddenly shut down on September 9 and remained closed on September 10 before reopening on September 11 following behind-closed-doors negotiations.

The closures have brought renewed attention to the ongoing crisis within Mexico's cultural sector, which has been struggling with budget cuts and structural problems for years. INBAL, which oversees Mexican heritage from the 20th century onward, manages an extensive network of 29 schools, 18 museums, and several theaters across the country. The institute was established in 2015 under the Ministry of Culture to centralize cultural policy after years of operating under the Ministry of Education.

However, the transition has not been smooth, with the Ministry of Culture facing significant financial pressures. Budget cuts, including a projected 20% reduction for INBAL in 2026, combined with longstanding structural issues, have severely weakened the ministry's ability to function effectively. "The ministry was founded to restructure cultural organizations, yet it has failed to do so," said a person with direct knowledge of INBAL's inner workings, speaking to The Art Newspaper on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.

At the heart of the recent closure lies a fundamental issue within INBAL: the stark disparity in working conditions and budget distribution between unionized workers and independent contractors. Unionized employees, who typically serve in administrative and operational roles, enjoy job security and benefits, while independent contractors known as "Capítulo 3000" – a budgetary category for temporary service contracts – face harsh working conditions without basic protections.

"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," explained a former INBAL worker who resigned due to the harsh conditions. This two-tier system has created significant tension within the organization and has contributed to ongoing operational difficulties.

The immediate cause of last week's strike centered on a seemingly mundane issue: uniform procurement. Unions representing INBAL workers demanded that they be provided with prepaid cards to purchase their own uniforms, which would allow them more flexibility in their choices. This was in contrast to INBAL's current practice of distributing already-purchased garments, which according to the former INBAL worker, are often underused in the first place. Despite requests for comment, representatives for INBAL did not respond to inquiries about the dispute.

The recent closure is just the latest chapter in years of ongoing labor disputes at INBAL. Since at least 2018, Capítulo 3000 workers have been voicing their concerns through protests and social media campaigns, using hashtags like "YaPágameINBAL" (pay me INBAL) and "conTRATOdigno" (worthy contract). Despite various promises and legal reforms over the years, these efforts have yielded only temporary solutions at best, with fundamental problems remaining unresolved.

The situation has reached a critical point, with many workers facing months without pay. "For years, we have carried out essential work within INBAL, yet under schemes that deny us basic labor rights: no social security, seniority or benefits, and unguaranteed renewal," reads an September 11 letter addressed to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, as quoted by the newspaper Excélsior. The letter was signed by Capítulo 3000 workers who say they have not been paid since June.

The crisis extends beyond INBAL to other institutions under the Ministry of Culture. In June, workers at the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) were forced to close major venues, including the renowned Museo Nacional de Antropología, due to a shortage of contracted security personnel. More recently, on September 11, unionized workers led a two-day closure of the Biblioteca Vasconcelos, the country's most important library, which houses Gabriel Orozco's "Mátrix Móvil" (2006) and operates under the General Directorate of Libraries, also part of the Ministry of Culture. The library's closure was partly attributed to shortages of basic necessities like water.

Adding to the controversy, on September 9, the Ministry of Culture announced an increase in museum fees for 2026, initially sparking widespread criticism before officials clarified that the increases would apply only to non-residents and INAH sites. However, even this clarification highlights another systemic problem: museum fees, even during major exhibitions, do not actually fund museum operations since all revenue goes directly to the Federal Treasury. "INBAL's museums do not benefit from ticket revenue generated by their efforts," noted a source familiar with INBAL's budget structure.

Observers in the arts and culture sector are increasingly worried that these ongoing labor and funding disputes could cause irreparable long-term damage to Mexico's cultural institutions. The workers responsible for maintaining and presenting world-renowned collections and programs are being left burned out and unsupported, creating a dangerous situation for the country's cultural heritage. "There is a talent drain from INBAL due to excruciating working conditions impacting physical and mental health," said a source who experienced such conditions firsthand. "This also endangers heritage as it is left in underqualified hands."