Copenhagen Contemporary
International center for contemporary art in a former welding hall on Refshaleøen: large-scale installations and James Turrell's light room.
About the museum
Copenhagen Contemporary was founded in 2015 as an independent institution by the art collector and gallerist Jens Faurschou and the businessman Jens Erik Sørensen; the supporting foundation was established at the end of 2014. The model was major international houses for contemporary art. In 2016, the art center first opened in halls on Papirøen (Christiansholm).
In 2018, CC moved to the former shipyard island of Refshaleøen, into the former welding hall of the Burmeister & Wain shipyard, which was converted by the architect Dorte Mandrup. Around 7,000 square meters of industrial halls offer space for sprawling installations, performances, and monumental video works, which visitors can often walk into and experience with all their senses.
CC sees itself as a nonprofit art center without a traditional collection and shows changing exhibitions by international stars and young talents. In 2024, the museum acquired its first permanent work, James Turrell's "Aftershock", laying the foundation for a small collection of major works of the 21st century. For its tenth anniversary in 2026, CC held a performance festival.
Highlights
- Light installation "Aftershock" by James Turrell
- Monumental installations in the former B&W welding hall
- Free creative workshop on weekends and during school holidays
- Café Darcy’s & CC
- Located on the former shipyard island of Refshaleøen
Permanent exhibitions
- James Turrell: Aftershock – Walk-in Ganzfeld room in which colored light dissolves the boundaries of the space; acquired in 2024 as CC's first permanent work.
- Founded
- 2016
- Operated by
- Copenhagen Contemporary Fonden (gemeinnützige Stiftung)
- Director
- Marie Laurberg
Admission & discounts
| Adults | DKK 140 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | DKK 95Students |
| Children & teens | DKK 25free up to age 2 · DKK 25 for ages 3–17, free up to age 2. Children under 12 only when accompanied by adults. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Companions of wheelchair users and those with a valid companion card (ledsagerkort) free; ticket at the ticket desk. |
| Students & apprentices | DKK 95 |
| Groups (15+ people) | DKK 115 per personPer person over 18 years. |
| Subscription membership | DKK 25Per month, minimum 6 months; free admission, guest ticket DKK 80, 10% discount in the shop and café |
| Membership 1+1 (year) | DKK 450Free with one guest on every visit |
| Student membership (year) | DKK 195 |
| Membership Child +1 (year) | DKK 275For those under 18, each free with one adult |
| Weekday group tour (45 minutes, up to 28 people) | DKK 950Plus admission |
| Group tour on weekends/public holidays | DKK 1,200Plus admission |
| Tour before opening, e.g., James Turrell | DKK 2,400Usually 10:15–11:00, plus admission |
Tickets are available at the ticket desk on site; timed slots are not required. Free admission with the Copenhagen Card; membership is also possible via K7 Plus, and tickets via the Kulturpas. Journalists with press credentials free.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Main entrance (100 cm wide) and café entrance via ramps with automatic doors; all three floors reachable by elevator (103 × 143 cm), level floors, but longer distances. Exception: James Turrell's "Aftershock" is not wheelchair-accessible. Loaner wheelchairs and folding stools at the ticket desk, accessible restrooms on the first and third floors, three accessible parking spaces in front of the entrance. Exhibition texts in Danish and English, plus short picture-and-text explanations "Kort fortalt". Some works contain flashing lights or loud sounds; the street in front of the building is uneven.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
- Kids’ birthday parties
The creative workshop on the second floor is open free of charge on weekends and during school holidays from 11:00 to 17:30. On Saturdays, Sundays, and throughout July at 12:45, "BørneCCirklen" invites children to 20–30-minute creative activities in the exhibition halls, no registration required. Strollers are allowed in the exhibitions; baby changing tables on the first and third floors. Children's birthday parties with one hour of art education can be booked.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bus 2A to the small roundabout on Refshalevej (about 250 m on foot from the stop); harbor bus to Refshaleøen, from there along the pier and then about 250 m past the parking lots.
By car
Paid parking
Paid parking on Refshaleøen; parking meter on the right side of Refshalevej between the small roundabout (stop 2A) and the main entrance, enter your license plate. Also payable via app (EasyPark, Mobilparkering), zone 3735. Three accessible parking spaces directly in front of the main entrance.
- Accessible parking
About 10 minutes by bike from Kongens Nytorv. The entrance is marked by a vertical "Art Center" sign and large orange neon letters "CC".
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
Café Darcy’s & CC on the first floor, accessible without an admission ticket; kitchen open until 16:00, Thursdays until 20:00; groups of 6 or more should reserve. CC Shop just inside the main entrance. Free lockers by the café; large bags and jackets are not allowed in the exhibitions. Area for food you bring yourself in Hall 4.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
Up to 550 guests.
Hall 6 (658 m²) for conferences, fashion shows, product launches, and shoots; penthouse in the middle of the exhibitions for meetings and workshops of up to 40 people. Events are also possible in Café Darcy’s. Inquiries via event@cphco.org.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photos for private purposes allowed; for any other use, as well as for larger professional camera equipment, prior permission via contact@cphco.org is required. |
| Good to know | In selected exhibitions, you can listen to artwork texts on your phone via QR code. Group tours (Danish or English, up to 28 people) on request via ccstudio@cphco.org; tours of "Aftershock" only before opening. With large crowds, expect waits in front of the works, especially "Aftershock". Art guides in beige jackets answer questions. |
