The Best Contemporary Art Museums in Russia

Photo by ETR staff

When you think of Russian cultural institutions, what springs to mind? The Hermitage, the Russian Museum, and the Bolshoi Ballet; the opulent palaces and churches of Tsarist history; revolutionary artwork taking the country by storm. Yet Russia is an incredibly rich source of unique contemporary art, which can be found in museums documenting the artistic development of the country from the late Soviet period onwards. These museums not only exhibit the work of household names, but also support emerging artists and showcase the varied cultural features of Russia’s regions spanning from Europe to the Far East. So where can you find the country’s best contemporary art museums?

Artmuza Museum of Contemporary Art, St Petersburg

Photo by official website Artmuza Museum

A cultural complex and museum of modern art, Artmuza is located on the site of a former musical instrument factory. The complex boasts ten galleries with a monthly rotation of exhibitions, so visitors can discover a huge variety of artistic trends from local and international artists over four enormous art-filled floors. Artists’ studios are frequently opened up to the public, making it feel like you’re backstage at a gallery. The complex aims to involve the public in cultural life as resident artists frequently offer workshops of many artistic and creative disciplines. There is also an extensive events programme both within the museum and on its large roof terrace, and those searching for unique souvenirs can visit dozens of small creative businesses located on site. Read on to learn about other non-touristy places in St. Petersburg.

Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art, St Petersburg

Photo by ETR staff

Erarta is Russia’s largest museum of contemporary art, housing nearly 3,000 works from all over Russia. The collection is continually added to and comprises work of all artistic movements and styles, providing a diverse experience to anyone who visits. You’ll not only discover art on the walls but audio exhibitions, animation, literature and installations spread over two wings and 6 floors in both temporary and permanent galleries. One particularly fascinating section is the U-Space, a total installation focussed on evoking a specific emotion. With their aim of popularising contemporary art and making it accessible to all, Erarta organises many public programmes to allow anyone of any age to embrace their creative side. Original artworks and prints are also available to purchase in the museum shop.

Collector’s Art Gallery DiDi, St Petersburg

Photo by official website Didi Gallery

DiDi is a unique gallery specialising in unofficial and avant-garde Russian art from the second half of the 20th century up until the present day. The collection includes famous works by household names as well as pieces by emerging artists, and exhibitions alternate every couple of months. DiDi is situated in one of St Petersburg’s traditional houses, and though it looks unassuming on the outside, artwork fills a maze of rooms, corridors and staircases, from small halls with antique furniture to large exhibition spaces. The gallery also has a large online collection from where artworks can be purchased.

Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, Moscow

Photo by official website Garage Museum

Garage is Russia’s first philanthropic institution dedicated to contemporary art, founded in 2008 by Roman Abramovich and Dasha Zhukova. Located in Gorky Park, the museum showcases artistic movements from Russia and around the world. Visitors can explore 10 innovative exhibitions per year from established and up-and-coming artists; Garage provides funding and studio space to emerging artists. Exhibitions are always accompanied by a program of workshops, presentations and family events, opening up contemporary art to all age groups. Garage is home to Russia’s only public archive of Russian contemporary art spanning the period between the 1950s to the present day, as well as Russia’s largest library of contemporary art books, uniting artistic heritage with the development of modern cultural life. As well as exhibitions, Garage organises extensive educational and research projects, concerts, festivals and film screenings, and in the museum bookshop visitors can browse international publications about art, culture, design and more.

Lumiere Brothers Centre for Photography, Moscow

The Lumiere Brothers Centre is named after the French brothers who were pioneers in the early development of photography and filmmaking. Located in the former Red October confectionery factory in the centre of Moscow, the centre’s 3 enormous exhibition halls exhibit Soviet and Russian photography from the 20th century onwards, as well as international work. One of the main aims is to merge expertise from throughout the world and provide a meeting ground for the international photography community. As well as exhibitions, visitors can find educational programmes run by curators and photographers, and art and photography workshops for adults and children alike. Anyone can visit the centre’s library, one of the best photography libraries in Russia, or purchase the latest literature about photography in the bookshop. There is a packed cultural events programme including lecturers by art critics, theatre performances, concerts, and even excursions round Moscow.

Perm Museum of Modern Art, Perm

Photo by official website Perm’s museum

Perm’s museum of modern art was established in 2009 and has played an important role in the development of the contemporary art scene there, attracting and inspiring creativity in Europe’s most easterly city. The museum’s exhibitions have been shown not just in Russia, but elsewhere in Europe and Asia, and the collection numbers thousands of works in many different media formats. It is a socially oriented museum with many community, family and educational programmes, art classes for all ages, and workshops between artists, critics and the public.

Sinara Art Gallery, Yekaterinburg

The Sinara Gallery, formerly the Yekaterinburg Gallery of Modern Art, is located in the Sinara Centre. This is a new cultural complex in one of Yekaterinburg’s oldest buildings, a former metal plant, linking heritage with the modern day cultural scene and regenerating the urban landscape of Russia’s fourth largest city. The Sinara gallery specialises in art from the Ural region of Russia, the border between Europe and Asia, showcasing the development of artistic talent in this region over time. The gallery’s collection has been compiled from private and museum collections, and experimental artworks are continually added to it.

V. Bronstein Gallery, Irkutsk

Photo by official website Bronstein Gallery

The largest exhibition space in Siberia, the Bronstein Gallery exhibits contemporary artwork from Siberia, Russia and around the world. It was founded in 1998 by Viktor Bronstein, an entrepreneur and philanthropist from Irkutsk who wanted to help local artists during this difficult economic period in Russia. His collection encompassed 70 years of artistic development in Irkutsk, forming the basis of the gallery and providing a unique insight into the culture of Siberia. Nowadays visitors can explore artwork of many media, from paintings to sculptures to jewellery and more, and some pieces of the collection are available for purchase. The gallery also holds film nights and theatre performances in its modern and spacious halls, and masterclasses for adults and children.