Center of Visual Arts, Coimbra

The Center of Visual Arts (CAV) in Coimbra is a pioneering institution in Portugal’s visual arts scene, particularly in photography and moving images. Founded on February 14, 2003, it operates independently as part of an association, making it a unique player in the promotion of contemporary image-based arts.

Located in the West Wing of the Old College of Arts, within the Courtyard of the Inquisition, the CAV is housed in a historic 16th-century building, which underwent a requalification by architect Joao Mendes Ribeiro. Spanning 1,500 square meters, the center includes a gallery for temporary exhibitions, a video projection room, an auditorium, a library, photography labs, and a cafeteria.

CAV is dedicated to exhibition production in photography, film, and video, while also engaging with painting, sculpture, and drawing. Its core activity revolves around a regular program of exhibitions, hosted in two primary spaces: the ground-floor gallery in the College of Arts, showcasing established and mid-career artists from Portugal and abroad; and the first-floor exhibition spaces, focused on emerging national and international artists.

Alongside exhibitions, the CAV maintains an active editorial policy and a photography collection, reinforcing its role as a crucial hub for contemporary art in Portugal.