Panama, July 15, 2026 - The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (BID), announced the opening of a contest for the logo design of Reina Torres de Arauz's Anthropological Museum (MARTA). The initiative aims to give him a renewed visual identity that will accompany his headquarters's comprehensive restoration project.

The contest, with its regulations and bases published in the Official Gazette of the Republic on July 15, 2026, includes a single prize of 10,000 pat for the proposal to be selected by the evaluating board.

The Minister of Culture, María Eugenia Herrera, emphasized the relevance of this process in the preservation of the historic memory of the country, "museums are the memory of peoples: spaces where the past converts with the present and where future generations will find the keys to understanding our origins and our path as a nation."

He also linked the contest with the advances of the physical restoration of the headquarters of the museum, "this restoration leading to a 70% physical advancement does not consist of recovering a historic building but of giving back to the country a renewed space for research, education, citizen meeting and the dissemination of knowledge about our history and our cultures."

The national director of Museums, Raúl Castro Zachrisson, referred to the purpose of the call and the construction of the design that will represent the institution "we want that identity to be born of the talent, creativity and commitment of Panamanians to their cultural heritage." Castro Zachrisson called upon participants to assume the assignment as a contribution to the nation's heritage: "Instead of designing a logo, they will have an opportunity to create a symbol that will represent one of Panama's most important museums, that will form part of our institutional heritage for many years."

Requirement and basis for call
Eligibility: Panamanian citizens can participate by birth and age as well as Panamanian citizens with at least five years of established residence.
A single proposal: Each contestant may submit a single proposal with an original and unpublished design.
Technology restriction: The bases stipulate that designs cannot be generated by using artificial intelligence (IA) applications or similar programs.
Documentation: Graphic proposals should include a descriptive memory with a maximum of 250 words that details historic justification, concept of design and its symbolic meaning.
Delivery Formats: Files should be sent in PDF, PNG, JPG and original design software.
Retirement date: The period for delivery of jobs will end on August 15, 2026. The applications will be received at 8: 00 a.m. to 4: 00 p.m.

The evaluation process will be conducted by a jury composed of professionals from the fields of plastic arts, architecture and archaeology. Also, the development of the contest phases will have the certification of a public notary to guarantee the transparency of the process.

The registration forms and the complete database document are available to interested parties through the official website of the Ministry of Culture (www.MiCultura.gob.pa).