Museum of Contemporary Art

Overview

Sofia Arsenal - Museum of Contemporary Art is located in the South Park of Sofia and fits into the modern trends for "green design". The museum opened in 2011. Museum events are available all year round and provide something for all ages.

The building, which houses the museum, was built in 1916. Later it was given the status of immovable architectural cultural heritage of local significance. It is an integral part of the "Sofia Arsenal" complex. Initially, the building served as a warehouse and ammunition workshop for the artillery. Until the end of the Second World War, the headquarters of the School for Reserve Officers was located there. In the 70s of the last century until 2003 it was used by the National Gallery of Applied Arts.

In 2011 the first stage of the reconstruction of the building of Sofia Arsenal was completed. The first floor has been completely renovated and becomes a place for exhibitions. During the reconstruction of the building, its specific architectural style was preserved.

In 2015 and 2016 new projects were launched. One of them is "Autobiography", which focuses on documenting contemporary art. The aim is to promote works and authors who have had a great impact on Bulgarian art from the 90s of the last century to the present. "Space - Audience" consists of spectacular visualizations related to the building of the Museum of Contemporary Art, its transformation, its history, and its visitors. "Theater in the Museum" emphasizes the initiative to introduce the theater into the museum. "Theater in the Museum" emphasizes the initiative to introduce the theater in the halls of the museum. Hosting theatre performances will bring to the museum new ideas and a lot of energy. Another initiative is that every Wednesday at 1 pm, art lovers meet with the curator of the current exhibition, as well as with the participants in it.

Sofia Arsenal - Museum of Contemporary Art is part of the museum network "Assembly of Arsenals". In 2015, representatives of seven European cultural institutions from Amsterdam, Berlin, Sofia, Copenhagen, Metz, Lisbon, and Tallinn launched the assembly and shared their experience in adapting former military buildings to new functions.