This article analyses and questions the current situation of contemporary art centres and museums, through a detailed study of the most prominent transformations that have been taking place over the last 40 years. From the beginning of post-modernism, from the phenomenon of ‘museum effect’ and increasing memorial proliferation in full economic boom, to new times of uncertainty where many museum institutions in our country are affected by general state budget cuts and adjustments, thus increasing the danger of defending the programme and diminishing the activity of these expositives, which are also subject to constant changes, which need to adapt to the new times and emerging proposals of artists. By reformulating the museum in crisis, we will contribute to the discussion by introducing some anomalies and issues on the topic. This is the current economic and financial crisis, which endangers both the survival of many cultural centres and research into our artistic and cultural heritage and, consequently, the threat of not being able to recover our historical memory.