Center for Contemporary Art, Warsaw

The Center for Contemporary Art in Warsaw is a notable institution situated within Ujazdowski Castle, a historical building that combines its rich past with a contemporary mission. Established in 1981, this center is recognized as one of Poland’s most prestigious art centers. It offers a diverse program that includes exhibitions, performances, film screenings, and artist residencies, attracting a wide range of audiences and artists.

Ujazdowski Castle, the home of the Center for Contemporary Art, stands in the heart of Warsaw. This late Baroque style castle, reconstructed in the 1970s, replicates the original 17th/18th-century structure designed by Italian architects of the Polish court. The castle, a square building with a central courtyard and hexagonal towers at each corner, underwent significant restoration to bring back its Baroque and Rococo interiors.

Today, nearly a third of its 7,407 square meters is dedicated to exhibition spaces. The architectural project, led by Irena Oborska in 1989, included the castle and the adjacent former arsenal, along with the surrounding parks. The center is Poland’s first dedicated space for contemporary art and serves as a hub where different art forms coexist, interact, and push beyond traditional boundaries to create new expressions and concepts.

Annually, the Ujazdowski Castle hosts nearly 1,500 events, attracting over 100,000 visitors. These include exhibitions featuring both emerging and established artists, performances, arthouse cinema, and educational workshops for all ages. It also facilitates the development of new projects by young artists and curators through its residency program.