The Musée Artistes Femmes (MAF) has opened in Lausanne, establishing a museum exclusively for women artists in Switzerland. The opening date is unclear, with some reports like RTS stating March 4, 2026, while others only mention a Wednesday. The museum is unique in Switzerland as a venue solely exhibiting works by women artists, addressing a structural gap in visibility where women represent only a small share of artists exhibited in museums.
The project was carried by the association Espace Artistes Femmes and its director Marie Bagi, taking five years to materialize. Marie Bagi realized her long-standing dream of creating a place dedicated entirely to women artists. The MAF positions itself as a 'talent incubator' aiming to support and propel the careers of emerging and contemporary women artists.
It also aims to make art accessible to all with free admission, offering a unique platform with free access to their work. ' Marie Bagi, director of the MAF, said: 'It's a springboard for women artists. We are based in French-speaking Switzerland, but the idea is that it radiates throughout Switzerland.
' The specific location or address of the MAF in Lausanne has not been disclosed. The inaugural exhibition is titled 'Cellules' and features the work of twelve artists. It was conceived by MAF director and art historian Marie Bagi as a founding act and manifesto.
The word 'Cellules' is ambiguous, evoking a living structure, a prison, a studio, and the idea of boundary dissolution, change, and sisterhood. This ambiguity is a conscious echo of the 'Cells' by French-American artist Louise Bourgeois, who deeply influenced contemporary art. The exhibition shows six artist pairs, each forming a 'cell,' creating a resonance space where two universes meet, confront, or support each other.
It is intended to function like a 'living organism' consisting of interconnected cells where intimate narratives and personal aesthetics coexist, react, and unfold. Artist Delphine Costier said: 'Sometimes, as a woman [artist], you can feel alone. Here, we gather with women who have the same desires, who do the same work.
' The funding sources or budget for the MAF project remain unknown. The exhibition runs until June 4, providing an initial showcase for the museum's mission.