Centro de Arte Tomás y Valiente

Centro de Arte Tomás y Valiente (widely known by its acronym CEART) is a municipal cultural center in Fuenlabrada, a city south of Madrid. Standing on Calle Leganés 51, close to one of the town's main entry points, the building has served as Fuenlabrada's hub for contemporary art since 2005.

What is CEART?

The center opened its doors on 2 April 2005, built and run by Fuenlabrada's city council, which still manages the facility today. Its name honors Francisco Tomás y Valiente, a jurist who served as a judge and president of Spain's Constitutional Court and was assassinated by the terrorist organization ETA in 1996. Attaching his name to the building was meant as a tribute to a figure closely tied to the defense of the rule of law during Spain's democratic era.

Rather than a single gallery, CEART was conceived as a multi-purpose cultural complex spread across three floors, bringing several independent institutions under one roof: a theater with its own auditorium, a public library, a music school, an exhibition area, and the offices of the city's culture department. Each section has a separate entrance, which makes it easy to head straight for whichever part of the complex you're visiting.

What will you find inside?

The center's programming centers on contemporary and visual art. Its exhibition spaces regularly host shows covering painting, photography, installation work and other current art forms, often in partnership with local artists and cultural institutions from across the Madrid region. Beyond the exhibitions, the auditorium hosts theater performances and other stage events, while the library and music school turn CEART into a genuine community meeting point for residents of all ages.

How do you get to Centro de Arte Tomás y Valiente?

Fuenlabrada sits within the greater Madrid metropolitan area and is well connected to the capital by the Cercanías regional rail network as well as intercity buses. The building itself is located next to one of the city's main access roads, making it easy to reach by car or by local bus — several municipal lines stop near Calle Leganés. Its coordinates are roughly 40.2928°N, 3.7914°W, useful for satellite navigation.

When is the best time to visit?

Because CEART operates primarily as an exhibition and theater venue, it's worth checking the current events calendar before planning a trip, since the offering shifts with each exhibition cycle and theater season. Visitors interested in a specific show or performance should time their visit to coincide with it, while the building's shared spaces and architecture remain accessible during the standard opening hours of a cultural institution.

CEART functions as a cultural reference point not just for Fuenlabrada but for the wider Madrid region, combining educational, artistic and social functions under a single roof. It's best suited to travelers with an interest in contemporary art and the cultural life of Madrid's satellite towns, rather than a typical stop on a classic monument-focused city tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Centro de Arte Tomás y Valiente? It's a municipal cultural center in Fuenlabrada, opened in 2005, combining a theater, a library, a music school and a contemporary art exhibition space.

Where does the name CEART come from? The center is named after Francisco Tomás y Valiente, a jurist and judge of Spain's Constitutional Court who was assassinated by ETA in 1996.

Who runs the center? It is managed by Fuenlabrada's city council, which has overseen its cultural program since it opened.

What else can you do at CEART besides visiting exhibitions? Alongside contemporary art exhibitions, the building hosts theater performances and is also home to a public library and a music school.