Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian (CAM)

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The original building was designed by British architect Sir Leslie Martin and opened in 1983.

2. 2

   Kengo Kuma’s 2024 renovation introduced a 100-meter-long canopy inspired by the Japanese 'engawa' veranda concept.

3. 3

   The CAM garden expansion was designed by landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic to seamlessly blend with the existing foundation park.

4. 4

   The collection holds the largest body of work by the influential Portuguese abstract painter Maria Helena Vieira da Silva.

5. 5

   The museum frequently hosts 'Open Storage' exhibitions, allowing visitors to view artworks not currently on wall display.

6. 6

   The building was constructed using locally sourced stone to maintain visual continuity with the foundation's main museum.

7. 7

   The site hosts a specialized library dedicated to modern and contemporary art history.

Overview

The Centro de Arte Moderna (CAM) houses one of the most comprehensive collections of Portuguese modern and contemporary art from the early 20th century to the present. Following a significant architectural expansion led by Kengo Kuma, the museum features a new wooden canopy and redesigned exhibition galleries. The collection includes notable works by Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, Paula Rego, and Maria Helena Vieira da Silva. It operates as part of the larger Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation campus, which includes a secondary museum and extensive public gardens. The galleries display rotating thematic selections rather than a permanent chronological sequence. The institution serves as both a research center and a public exhibition space for visual arts. Visitors can access a dedicated art library within the foundation grounds. Its integration with the surrounding parkland allows for an indoor-outdoor visitor experience.

Insider tips

• Combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding Gulbenkian Park to see the outdoor sculpture collection.

• Check the foundation's online calendar for contemporary performance art or film screenings that often accompany exhibitions.

• Allow extra time to visit the neighboring Calouste Gulbenkian Museum to contrast ancient art with the CAM's modern focus.