BioMuseo
Darien Peninsula exhibit

Goal

The Frank Gehry-designed BioMuseo in Panama is an extraordinary institution dedicated to showcasing the country’s remarkable biodiversity and cultural diversity—positioned at the crossroads of two oceans and two continents.

Award

An Impact Grant allowed the exhibit to move beyond Panama City to Metetí and other regions, expanding access to education with free admission for all, and thereby helping BioMuseo bring its vision to life.

As part of its commitment to expanding cultural education, BioMuseo developed six new panels for the Darien Peninsula exhibit, exploring the Indigenous communities of the region—the Guna, Wounaan, and Emberá. These additions, set for 2024–2026, bring the total exhibit to 12 panels, enriching its storytelling and impact.

To ensure broader accessibility, BioMuseo facilitated the relocation of the Darien Exhibit to the center of Metetí, where it remains free to the public. This initiative provides access to 2,000 schoolchildren and teachers – the future stewards of the region – fostering deeper connections to their land, heritage, and conservation efforts.

Rationale

The bright and visionary BioMuseo in Panama City serves as a vital hub for cultural and environmental education, showcasing biodiversity in real time. However, until recently, its reach remained limited to the capital. Museum leaders and curators sought opportunities to bring BioMuseo exhibits to communities across the country.

The CORA Foundation helped make this vision a reality through a test case – the Darien Exhibit – following an initial investment by the Canadian Embassy in Panama. The rationale was clear: the Indigenous leaders and people of the fragile Darién Peninsula are both its present stewards and its future.

Bringing the exhibit to the region posed challenges, from navigating jungle roads to coordinating local training and logistics. Yet, it proved to be a remarkable success, demonstrating the museum’s potential to expand its impact.

The Darien Exhibit debuted in June 2024 and traveled to Metetí for the 2024–25 school year. Its success has not only engaged local audiences but also created new fundraising opportunities for BioMuseo to bring exhibitions to Chitré and other regions.

The exhibit features 12 large, full-color panels illustrating the vast, two-million-hectare region, including detailed maps of its topography, tribal lands, and the ports and waterways connecting Panama to Colombia and South America. Its main objectives are to educate new audiences on Indigenous cultures as stewards of their lands, arts, and traditions; to teach best practices in conservation; and to inspire hope and multi-cultural solutions through public-private partnerships.