MODEM Modern és Kortárs Művészeti Központ
The modern and contemporary art centre in the city centre of Debrecen, with its own collection, temporary exhibitions and autism-friendly museum programmes.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The MODEM Modern and Contemporary Art Centre opened in 2006 in the historic city centre of Debrecen, on Baltazár Dezső tér, a square laid out at the same time as the opening. The internationally connected museum institution aims to present the trends of contemporary art and the 20th- and 21st-century Hungarian and international achievements in fine art.
The centre has its own contemporary collection, from which it regularly selects exhibitions. In 2026, on the 20th anniversary of its foundation, the exhibition MODEM 20 saw twenty partner institutions in Debrecen each choose one work from the collection. Its key mission is to study the culture and society of Central and Eastern Europe through art, in the form of exhibitions, projects, conferences and events.
MODEM pays special attention to young people: interactive, playful art education sessions help audiences engage with its exhibitions, from kindergarten age to university students. Temporary exhibitions are shown in its multi-level exhibition spaces; an underground car park operates beneath the building, and the museum presents itself as both barrier-free and autism-friendly.
Highlights
- Own contemporary collection and exhibitions selected from it
- Multi-level exhibition spaces in the city centre of Debrecen
- Art education sessions and camps for children
- Autism-friendly museum programmes (KÉK)
- Modem Shop and underground car park beneath the building
- Founded
- 2006
Admission & discounts
| Adults | HUF 1,500 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | HUF 750students and pensioners |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 5 · Free admission under 6 (EEA citizens). |
| Seniors | HUF 750Pensioner ticket; visitors over 70 may visit free of charge (EEA citizens). |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Persons with disabilities and one companion may visit free of charge. |
| Students & apprentices | HUF 750Student ticket. |
| Groups (5+ people) | HUF 4,000 per personGroups of 5–10 people: combined ticket HUF 4,500 per person; over 10 people: HUF 4,000 per person (students and pensioners HUF 2,250 or HUF 2,000 per person). Discounts can be claimed on site. |
| Families | HUF 8,000Combined family ticket for 2 adults and 3 children, valid for all exhibitions. |
| Combined admission ticket for all exhibitions (adult) | HUF 5,000Student, pensioner: HUF 2,500; with the Városkártya: HUF 4,500 or HUF 2,250. |
| Idővarrás (Time Sewing) – 2nd floor (adult) | HUF 2,500Student, pensioner: HUF 1,250. |
| Életművelők (Life Cultivators) – ground floor (adult) | HUF 2,000Student, pensioner: HUF 1,000. |
| Guided tour for groups | HUF 5,000Per group and per exhibition. |
| Art education session for groups | HUF 900Per person, by registration. |
| Annual pass (adult) | HUF 18,000Student, pensioner: HUF 9,000; family: HUF 40,000; more favourable with the Városkártya. |
Free admission: Free admission on national holidays (15 March, 20 August, 23 October); on the second Sunday of every month the permanent exhibitions are free for visitors under 26 and for up to two close relatives accompanying children under 18 (EEA citizens).
Prices vary by exhibition; the cheapest adult ticket per exhibition is HUF 1,500. Payment is possible in cash, by bank card and with the SZÉP card. Discounts apply with the Debrecen Városkártya, the HungaryCard, the University of Debrecen’s UniPass card and the Egyszülős kártya (single-parent card).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The website lists the museum as barrier-free; guide dogs and therapy dogs may be brought in. Autism-friendly museum programmes (KÉK) are also offered.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | HUF 8,000 · Combined family ticket for 2 adults and 3 children, valid for all exhibitions. |
- Family tours & workshops
A family ticket is available; MODEM also offers art education sessions and camps for children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Kölcsey Központ
Buses 101, 10YI, 13, 24, 24Y, 33, 71AI and 71I stop at the Kölcsey Központ (Bethlen utca) stop; buses 11, 14YI, 15, 15H, 15Y, 15YH, 24, 24Y, 43 and 93 stop at the Kölcsey Központ (Hunyadi János utca) stop.
By car
Parking available
An underground car park operates beneath the building; it can be entered from Bethlen utca and Füvészkert utca.
On foot, the easiest approach is from the Nagytemplom: 5 minutes from Kossuth tér, behind the Déri Múzeum.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
For safety reasons, use of the cloakroom is compulsory and free of charge; bags larger than 30 × 25 × 15 cm may not be brought in. The Zöld Kilincs Kávézó is temporarily closed.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Information on available dates and rental fees can be requested at the address given on the website.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Group guided tours and art education sessions can be requested. Food, drink and children’s toys may not be taken into the exhibition area, and the artworks must not be touched. |
