Műcsarnok is a highly significant exhibition hall in Hungary for contemporary arts. Conceived on the model of the German Kunsthalles, the neo-Renaissance building was erected in 1896, for the country’s Millennial celebrations.

Our mission is to mediate, present and influence Hungarian and international trends and phenomena in the contemporary visual arts. At five to six major exhibitions annually – including many that are groundbreaking in the East-Central European region (Luc Tuymans’ Retrospective; The Leipzig Phenomenon, What’s Up? – A panorama of Contemporary Hungarian Art; Thomas Ruff’ Retrospective; Mi Vida – Heaven and Hell – The MUSAC’s collection in Budapest) – we present renowned local and foreign contemporary artists



We want to make Műcsarnok an active meeting point and creative centre for contemporary culture and art that deals with the cultural and social environment.

As a progressive exhibition gallery, we not only try to bring to our audience artistic propositions that are relevant and interesting, but also make every effort to provide our viewers with modern and exciting facilities that enable the in-depth exploration of our displays.



While we find it particularly important to reach young people, the “contemporaries of the future,” we seek to find open-minded, receptive individuals across all generations who are interested in new occurrences in culture and the visual arts.

We also shape the exhibition programme of Ernst Museum and Dorottya Gallery, which are now part of Műcsarnok, in this spirit: the former hosts projects – thematic solo and group exhibitions – that reflect on the social and urban environment quickly and flexibly, while the latter specializes in presenting promising young talents, beside well-established artists.



The positive press mentions of the recent period and growing attendance figures testify to the success of Műcsarnok’s endeavours.

Műcsarnok Nonprofit Ltd. (Kft.)

Under the aegis of the governmental budget reform, Műcsarnok too underwent considerable structural reorganization in 2007. Continuing its work in a new form, Műcsarnok also incorporated two exhibition venues, Ernst Museum and Dorottya Gallery. Following the 2118/2006 (Apr. 30) Government Decree, the Ministry of Education and Culture ordained the termination of Műcsarnok as a publicly financed institution, as of August 31, 2007, and its transformation into a non-profit limited company.

Since July 1, 2007, the Company has been working as the legal successor in the activities of Műcsarnok, a publicly financed institution, and of Ernst Museum Public Benefit Company. It has assumed the duties and activities of the former institutions, their employees, certain of their contracts, claims and liabilities.