Musée d'Art Contemporain (Museum of Modern Art), Lyon

The Museum of Modern Art (Musée d'Art Contemporain), located in Lyon, is an institution dedicated to contemporary art. The idea to establish this museum was conceived in 1983, with its organization taking shape in 1984. Initially, it operated within the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon under the name Saint-Pierre Contemporary Art Museum. In 1988, it gained official recognition as a contemporary art museum from the Directorate of Museums of France.

A notable development occurred in 1995 when the museum relocated to the 6th borough of Lyon, occupying a building designed by the renowned architect Renzo Piano. This new venue was inaugurated on December 19, 1995, and it quickly garnered attention, attracting nearly 130,000 visitors in just two months during the 3rd Biennial of Lyon.

Architecturally, the building presents a blend of styles, featuring a 1930s facade alongside a modern brick structure. It encompasses an area of 2700 square meters and is accessible through two side entrances. Over the years, the museum has hosted more than a hundred exhibitions, underlining its active role in the contemporary art scene.

One of the distinctive aspects of the Museum of Modern Art is its philosophy of presenting site-specific works created by artists directly within its space. This approach has led to the formation of the largest European collection of group installations housed in a museum, a highlight of its permanent collection. These permanent installations are complemented by a series of temporary exhibitions. To accommodate the setup of new exhibitions, the museum typically undergoes a closure period of nearly six months each year.

The museum has earned a reputation as a symbol of "an open city and an uninhibited art," reflecting its commitment to fostering a dynamic and accessible contemporary art scene in Lyon.