CAM – Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian

About the museum

The CAM – Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian was conceived by the founder and first president of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, José de Azeredo Perdigão, and opened in July 1983 in a building designed by Sir Leslie Martin. The collection, however, was conceived as early as 1956, to bring together modern and contemporary art and to present the work of emerging artists, which explains the name. The CAM was also home to ACARTE, a multidisciplinary programme launched in 1984 by Madalena de Azeredo Perdigão.

The building was entirely redesigned by the studio Kengo Kuma & Associates and inaugurated in September 2024, with a new garden designed by the landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic. The new CAM displays its collection in several spaces, has temporary exhibitions of emerging and established artists, a gallery dedicated to sound art, an education space and a performing arts programme.

The collection has almost 12 thousand works by a great diversity of artists, media and supports, assembled over more than 60 years, and includes the largest representation of Portuguese artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. It continues to grow through acquisitions and donations.

Highlights

• Largest collection of Portuguese modern and contemporary art, with almost 12 thousand works
• Building redesigned by Kengo Kuma and garden by Vladimir Djurovic
• Gallery dedicated to sound art
• Temporary exhibitions of emerging and established artists
• Restaurant A Mesa do CAM, from the kitchen garden to the table

Permanent exhibition

• Coleção CAM – Presentations of the collection of Portuguese modern and contemporary art of the 20th and 21st centuries in several spaces of the centre.

Founded

1983

Operated by

Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Sundays from 14:00. Saturdays, from 18:00 to 21:00, free admission to all exhibitions for under-30s holding the Cartão Gulbenkian.

CAM ticket: €10 (CAM collection and temporary exhibitions of the CAM). With the Cartão Gulbenkian, which is free, the discounts increase: 50% for under-30s, 20% for over-65s and 10% for those aged 30 to 64. Free admission also for members of ICOM, AICA and APOM. Discounts cannot be combined.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

All the Foundation's spaces and part of the garden are adapted for visitors with reduced mobility, with lifts, ramps and, in certain areas, tactile paving. The public toilets are adapted and the car park has reserved spaces. Reception staff can assist visitors.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Programmes for families and children, and the ZAF – Zona Artística Familiar (Family Art Zone) space.

Getting there & parking

There are Gira shared-bicycle stations and bicycle racks around the Foundation.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Restaurant A Mesa do CAM, A Mesa do CAM kiosk, café and CAM shop. Free cloakroom and lockers on floor C1, next to the education area.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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