Vilnius Contemporary Art: Where to Find It and Why It's Worth Visiting
Vilnius is one of those European cities where contemporary art isn't confined to a single institution. It's everywhere here, from world-class museums to the street walls of Užupis. This very diversity makes Vilnius special.
This guide will help you understand where to find art in Vilnius and why each location offers a completely different experience.
MO Museum: Home of Contemporary Lithuanian Art
MO Museum is the main center for contemporary Lithuanian art, housed in a building designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, located by the Neris River.
What you'll see:
- Permanent exhibition: Lithuanian 20th-21st century art from the Soviet era to today
- Temporary exhibitions: international and Lithuanian artists
- Educational program: workshops, lectures, film screenings
Tickets: 9 € for adults, 4.50 € for students. Free admission on Wednesdays from 5 PM.
The building itself is a work of art: geometric forms, a play with light and space.
Contemporary Art Centre (CAC)
CAC is a place for experiments. If MO Museum represents "stability," then CAC is constant movement.
What you'll find here:
- Experimental exhibitions, often provocative and unexpected
- Video art and installations
- Film programs: art films, documentaries
- International projects and residencies
CAC is not a place for "beautiful paintings," it's a place that provokes thought.
Tickets: 4 € for adults, 2 € for students.
National Gallery of Art
National Gallery of Art is the largest exhibition space in the Baltic States, located on the bank of the Neris River. The building, a former Soviet Museum of Revolution, has been transformed into a modern gallery.
What you'll find here:
- The largest traveling exhibitions in Lithuania
- Lithuanian and international contemporary art
- The space itself is impressive: high ceilings, industrial aesthetics
Tickets: 6 € for adults. Free on the last Sunday of the month.
Užupis: Art Without Walls
Užupis is not a gallery. It is an entire district that is a work of art.
Since 1997, when Užupis declared itself an "independent republic," artists, musicians, and creators have gathered here. What's special here:
- Užupis Constitution on the wall: translated into 20+ languages. "Everyone has the right to be happy."
- Užupis Angel: a bronze sculpture, symbol of the quarter
- Street art: graffiti, installations, sculptures that change
- Small galleries: discovered while walking around
The best thing is simply to walk around and observe. Art appears here where you least expect it.
Street Art Throughout the City
Not just Užupis. You'll find street art all over Vilnius:
- Literatų Street: over 200 miniature artworks on the walls
- Pylimo Street: large murals
- Naujamiestis industrial district: a rapidly growing street art scene
Smaller Galleries Worth Visiting
- TSEKH Art Gallery: a modern gallery in the Old Town
- Pamėnkalnio Gallery: unexpected discoveries on a quiet street
- Galerija Vartai: one of the oldest private galleries
How to Plan an Art Day in Vilnius
- Morning: MO Museum (2 hours)
- Lunch: MO Cafe or Bernardinai Garden
- Afternoon: CAC + Literatų Street
- Evening: Užupis, a stroll among the street art
Browse all Vilnius attractions or use the travel planner.