Established in 1884, the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, in Lisbon, holds the largest public art collection in Portugal, with works spanning over 800 years of history. The documentary series In Our Care.
The Keeper’s Choice (originally À Nossa Guarda. A Escolha de Quem Cuida.) explores the Museum’s backstage and the daily work of those who keep its doors open. In each episode, a surveillance guard presents a piece of their choice from the permanent exhibition, offering a personal reflection blending art, everyday life and biography.
Developed during the Museum’s post-pandemic efforts to reconnect with audiences, the project marks a second collaboration with the creative team led by producer-director João Estrada and features voluntary participation of nine employees.
The role of a museum guard stands between surveillance and customer service—a demanding balance between crowded galleries and long hours of solitude, spent in the quiet company of the art pieces they protect.
How does one embrace this routine? How does the art around them affect the passing of time? How can some, through the constant repetition of days, maintain such enduring esteem for these paintings, sculptures and ceramics?
The series aims to promote Portuguese art in an accessible, informal and emotive way, while giving voice to those often unheard. Through unfiltered first-person testimonies, the project highlights the opinions, experiences and unique perspectives of those who guarantee safety and access to art, offering valuable insights for cultural institutions.
All episodes are openly available on MNAA’s website, social media and on CaixaFórum+.