Turkey’s first museum of modern and contemporary art has announced that it will be moving all of its operations to the historical Union Française building in Beyoğlu while its new building is being constructed. Istanbul Modern will continue to receive visitors at its current location in Karaköy until March 18.
Istanbul Modern will close the door of its current building in Karaköy on Sunday, March 18, after 14 years of operations. Antrepo #4, as the building is called, was a maritime warehouse before being renovated as a museum building for Istanbul Modern in 2004.
Temporary space in Beyoğlu
While constructing its new building, Istanbul Modern will move temporarily from its unique location on the shores of the Bosphorus to the historical Beyoğlu neighborhood. Its temporary space there is the historical Union Française building on Meşrutiyet Street, built by Alexandre Vallaury in 1896. Istanbul Modern will re-open to the public at this space, which is being renovated to accommodate its exhibitions and activities, in May 2018.
Istanbul Modern’s new building, which will be at its current location in the center of the ongoing “Galataport” development project, will be designed by a renowned architect with years of expertise in designing museum buildings. The project for the new museum building is expected to be announced in 2018.
Istanbul Modern’s founding sponsor, the Eczacıbaşı Group, and the Galataport consortium, Doğuş Group and Bilgili Holding, are contributing to the cost of the new building, which is scheduled to be completed in 36 months.
7 million visitors, art education for more than 750 thousand children
Since opening on December 11, 2004, Istanbul Modern has welcomed visitors from every segment of the public with the support and cooperation of local government and the public and private sector. Rapidly increasing its visitor numbers over the course of 14 years, Istanbul Modern has gained recognition worldwide as well as in Turkey as a required destination for modern and contemporary art enthusiasts. Overall, Istanbul Modern has received more than 7 million visitors and organized free art programs for more than 750 thousand children and young people since its establishment.