Arquipélago – Centro de Artes Contemporâneas
Contemporary art centre in the former alcohol factory of Ribeira Grande, with exhibitions, a programme and a specialised library.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Arquipélago – Centro de Artes Contemporâneas occupies the building of the former Distillery of Ribeira Grande, on São Miguel. The project to set up alcohol factories on the island emerged in 1893; the one in Ribeira Grande was the most advanced, after the Câmara Municipal had granted, on 29 March 1893, water from the Ribeira do Teixeira for production. The former industrial building thus went through several functions over some 122 years, until it was converted into an arts centre.
The centre was founded with the mission of observing, stimulating, disseminating and producing, in a transdisciplinary way, in the fields of visual, audiovisual, multimedia and performing arts. It aims to be a reference space for reflection and knowledge in the different artistic fields and to build audiences interested in contemporary art and culture. Its work brings together Azorean identity with the circulation of ideas, people and cultures.
Today it hosts a regular programme of exhibitions, concerts, performances, workshops and talks with artists, as well as artist residencies, a mediation service for schools and families, and a library and documentation centre. In 2026 it presents the exhibition O que permanece: memória do edifício (What Remains: Memory of the Building), which brings together historical objects, videos, photographs, documents, the building's scale model and a work from the Arquipélago Collection.
Highlights
- Former alcohol factory of Ribeira Grande, converted into an arts centre
- Programme of national and international contemporary art exhibitions
- Exhibition O que permanece: memória do edifício (What Remains: Memory of the Building), with scale model and testimonies
- Library and specialised documentation centre
- Artist residencies, workshops and talks with artists
Permanent exhibition
- O que permanece: memória do edifício – Route linking the memory of the former factory with the centre's present, with historical objects, videos, photographs, documents, the building's scale model and an interactive element; on display until December 2026 in the centre's shop, with free admission.
- Founded
- 2015
- Operated by
- Direção Regional da Cultura, Governo dos Açores
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €1.5050% discount for Cartão Jovem holders, young people aged 15 to 25, pensioners and people over 65, and teaching staff at any level of education |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 14 · Free admission up to the age of 14. |
| Seniors | €1.5050% discount from the age of 65. |
| Students & apprentices | €1.5050% discount for young people aged 15 to 25. |
Free admission: Free admission on Sundays and on International Museum Day (18 May).
Free admission also applies to holders of the Cartão Interjovem, members of APOM and ICOM, researchers, journalists and tourism professionals on duty, and teachers and pupils on study visits scheduled with the centre.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 14 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The centre invites families to experiences linked to contemporary art; admission is free up to the age of 14 and on Sundays.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
The centre's shop operates Tuesday to Sunday and closes between 13:00 and 14:00. There is a library and documentation centre.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The mediation service offers talks, guided tours, workshops, lectures and seminars for schools, families and other audiences. |
