Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova

The museum occupies three floors of the renovated barracks building. Its core is the Arteast 2000+ collection: a dialogue between key Western and Eastern European avant-garde artists from the 1960s onward, including previously overlooked figures from Eastern Europe. The ground floor holds the permanent display; temporary exhibitions and curatorial projects occupy the second floor.

The architecture itself functions as an exhibit: narrow slits in walls reveal artworks in adjacent rooms, creating unexpected visual connections. Many pieces are interactive. Gallery lighting is minimalist, with the focus on the works. Floors are connected by lift and stairs.

The ground floor houses a café and the MG Bookstore, stocking exhibition catalogues and contemporary art publications. The museum library holds 66,000 volumes – journals, catalogues, and newspapers on contemporary art. Adjacent to the museum is the autonomous Metelkova Mesto cultural centre with street art, clubs, and galleries.

Arteast 2000+ collection – one of the largest collections of Eastern European avant-garde art, assembled since 1995

Building – renovated 19th-century barracks by Groleger Arhitekti (2011)

Library – 66,000 books, catalogues, and periodicals on contemporary art

Museum quarter – alongside the Ethnographic Museum and National Museum of Slovenia at Metelkova

Interactivity – many exhibits are designed for viewer participation

The museum concept grew from the Arteast 2000+ collection, which Moderna galerija began assembling in 1995 under director Zdenka Badovinac. In 2002, the plan for a museum at Metelkova 22 was formalised and included in Slovenia's National Programme for Culture 2004–2007.

Renovation of the former barracks was completed in 2011, and the museum opened in November that year. Since then, MSUM has hosted international exhibition projects and the U3 Triennial of Contemporary Slovenian Art. Works from the Arteast 2000+ collection have travelled to New York, Pittsburgh, and cities across Europe.

From central Ljubljana (1.2 km, 15–20 minutes on foot):

– Walk from Prešeren Square northeast via Čopova / Miklošičeva

– Bus no. 5 – Ilirska stop

– Taxi / Bolt – €3–5

From the railway station (400 m, 5 minutes on foot):

– Exit the station and walk southeast along Masarykova / Maistrova

By car:

Address: Maistrova 3. Street parking in the neighbourhood.

Season: The museum operates year-round regardless of weather. In summer (July–August) it stays open until 20:00 on Thursdays.

Time of day: Morning (10:00–12:00) has the fewest visitors. Weekends are slightly busier.

Duration: 1–2 hours depending on your interest in contemporary art.

Avoid: Mondays – closed. Public holidays (1 January, 1 May, 1 November, 25 December) – closed.