Built in 1896 as a temporary exhibition venue, the historical building of Műcsarnok now houses Hungary's largest exhibition place for contemporary art. The institution does not have its own collection, but covers developments in local and international art with a constantly changing series of interconnected exhibitions and events.

Műcsarnok seeks to keep the public informed about contemporary art, and do so by interpreting it in the context of the whole of contemporary culture. Acting as a producer, it undertakes to sponsor the creation of new works, especially projects that reflect on the local context, the city and the social environment. In our communication we focus on the audience, seek to react to issues quickly and dynamically.

The institution's staff works on the creation of a platform where we can think jointly about important issues of the world with the help of contemporary culture.

The Műcsarnok ("art hall") was founded in 1877 on the initiative of the Hungarian National Fine Arts Association. The original building was situated at 69-71 Andrássy Street, now home to the University of Fine Arts. The exhibition hall on Heroes' Square was erected in 1896 for the millennium celebrations, and was designed by Albert Schikedanz. Today the hall operates on the pattern of the German Kunsthalle: it is an institution run by artists that does not maintain its own collection. The three-bayed, semi-circular apse houses a roofed exhibition hall that allows in light through the roof.

Since the building was renovated in 1995 the Műcsarnok has welcomed visitors and leading Hungarian and international contemporary artists alike, mediating and representing modern artistic tendencies whilst not maintaining its own permanent collection. Government partner: Ministry of Education and Culture.