One of the most eagerly awaited “comebacks” on the art scene in recent years was the reopening of CAM – Centro de Arte Moderna , which opened its doors again on September 21, 2024, and then with a big party with various exhibitions, live performances, music, talks, workshops and other activities for the whole family.
CAM, the artist as center, designed to be experienced
The Modern Art Centre has reopened after an extensive renovation by architect Kengo Kuma, in harmony with the renovated garden designed by landscape artist Vladimir Djurovic.
Open since 1983, we remember that the José de Azeredo Perdigão Modern Art Centre (official name) had been closed since 2020, so it’s been almost five years since one of the most awaited days for national artistic culture, which now presents 900m2 more spaces for new artistic, thematic and participatory experiences, with emerging artists being part of the entire annual cultural program.
One of the most visible and incredible aspects of the renovated space is Engawa, a 100-meter-long canopy covered with 3,274 ceramic tiles (produced in Portugal) in three shades of white, supported by wooden and iron slats.
This installation is inspired by Japanese architecture and is a link between the interior and exterior of the building. If we can hardly compare it to our architecture, we would say that it is a kind of porch, which connects the house to its exterior.
The renovated CAM in numbers and curiosities
- There is 900m2 more exhibition space in the renovated CAM, which now has four more rooms, for a total of 3,779m2 to occupy with art on the various floors of the building;
- The CAM Collection has around 12,000 works of art, including paintings, drawings, prints, installations, photographs and videos/films;
- Most of the vegetation in the new garden already existed; what was planted again was with native national species;
- The roof of the Engawa Space is 100 meters long and is covered with 3,274 ceramic tiles in three shades of white;
- Rainwater is reused and redirected to the large lake in the Gulbenkian gardens;
- The signage throughout the space was designed by award-winning designer Kenya Hara;
- Entrance to CAM is free until October 7
CAM exhibition calendar
Leonor Antunes was the first featured artist at the reopening of CAM, presenting a large sculpture exhibition that took up the entire Nave space.
- H BOX (Video): permanent
- Visitable Reserves: until May 11, 2026
- Paula Rego and Adriana Varejão (Exhibition): until September 22
- Mikhail Karikis | Sounds of a Revolution (Exhibition): until September 22
- Zineb Sedira | Standing Here Wondering… (Exhibition): from September 20, 2025 to January 19, 2026
- Rosana Antolí | An Aria for the Mallard (Installation): until October 6
- Xerazade | CAM’s Endless Collection (Exhibition): from September 20, 2025 to September 20, 2026
- Linha de Maré (CAM Collection): until May 11, 2026
An important venue for contemporary art in Portugal, this space will continue to showcase one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the country, with more than 12,000 works of art in the CAM Collection alone, and an annual cultural program that aims to connect with various other national and international art institutions.
Address: Rua Marquês de Fronteira 2
Opening hours:
- Exhibitions: Sunday to Friday, from 10am to 6pm, Saturdays from 10am to 9pm (closed on Tuesdays, and on January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1, December 24 and 25);
- A Mesa do CAM Restaurant: Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. (closed on Tuesdays);
- CAM Shop: Sunday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (closed Tuesdays)
Tickets:
- CAM Temporary Exhibitions: €8 to €10 (depending on the number of exhibitions)
- CAM Collection and Temporary Exhibitions: €12
- 50% discount for under 30s
- 15% discount for over 65s
- Gulbenkian Card: free
- Collections Ticket: CAM Collection and Gulbenkian Museum Collection: €14
- All-inclusive ticket: Gulbenkian Museum, CAM and Temporary Exhibitions: 16€
- Free entry on Sundays from 2pm
- Free entry for Gulbenkian Plus Card
Don’t miss out! Follow us on Facebook,Instagram and now also on WhatsApp!