Institut Valencià d'Art Modern

Institut Valencià d'Art Modern (IVAM) is Spain's first center devoted entirely to modern art, open in Valencia since 1989. Located in the El Carme district near the old bed of the Turia river, it has spent more than three decades as one of the leading modern and contemporary art institutions in Spain and Europe.

What is IVAM and why visit?

IVAM was founded to give Valencia an institution on par with the great modern art museums of Madrid and Barcelona. Since opening in 1989, it has built a collection and exhibition program centered on twentieth- and twenty-first-century art, placing Spanish artists in dialogue with the wider international avant-garde. Walking through its galleries, visitors can trace the evolution of sculpture, painting and photography from the birth of modernism through to the newest currents in contemporary art.

The museum's artistic direction has changed hands in recent years, which shapes the rhythm of its temporary shows. Nuria Enguita Mayo led the institution from September 2020 to February 2024, and since April 2025 Blanca de la Torre has served as director — a change in leadership at IVAM typically brings a fresh openness to emerging artists and experimental exhibition formats.

What will you see inside?

A visit to IVAM centers on its modern art holdings — sculpture, painting and works on paper that trace Spanish art's path toward the twentieth-century avant-garde. Alongside the permanent collection, the museum regularly stages temporary exhibitions built around a single artist, an art movement, or a social theme explored through visual art. The exhibition halls are generous in scale, allowing the museum to show both intimate installations and large monographic displays side by side.

Beyond the galleries, IVAM houses a library and documentation center useful for anyone digging deeper into contemporary art, plus a museum shop stocked with publications and exhibition catalogues. The building itself reflects the needs of a major cultural institution, with bright, open interiors well suited to displaying large-format works.

How to get there and when to go?

IVAM sits right in the heart of Valencia, in the El Carme district, next to the Jardín del Turia — the long park laid out in the river's former bed. That location makes it easy to pair a museum visit with a stroll through the historic old town and its nearby landmarks. The museum is an easy walk from the city center, and it's also well served by Valencia's public transport network.

The best time to visit is on weekday mornings, when the galleries are quietest. It's worth checking the current schedule of temporary exhibitions before you go, since the program changes regularly and some shows run for only a few months. Valencia summers can get hot, so IVAM's air-conditioned halls also make a welcome midday break from the heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IVAM the oldest modern art museum in Spain? Yes, IVAM was the first institution in Spain devoted entirely to modern art, opening in Valencia in 1989.

Where exactly is the museum located? IVAM is in the El Carme district in central Valencia, next to the Jardín del Turia, making it an easy walk from most of the old town's main sights.

Does IVAM host temporary exhibitions? Yes, alongside its permanent collection the museum regularly runs changing temporary exhibitions focused on different artists and contemporary art themes — check the current program before visiting.

Who currently directs IVAM? Since April 2025, Blanca de la Torre has served as the museum's director, succeeding Nuria Enguita Mayo, who led the institution from September 2020 to February 2024.