In Kraków's Zabłocie district, a former factory associated with wartime history has become a space devoted to contemporary artistic expression.
MOCAK, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Kraków, occupies a distinctive place within the city's cultural landscape. Opened in May 2011, the museum was created specifically for contemporary art and brought a new cultural purpose to the former halls of Oskar Schindler's enamel factory in Zabłocie.
The location gives MOCAK a significance that extends beyond its exhibitions. Schindler operated his factory here during the Second World War, and the site is connected with the history of the Holocaust and the lives saved through his actions.
Today, the same industrial setting provides space for contemporary artists, creating a powerful contrast between the site's difficult past and its present role as a place for creativity and cultural discussion.
An Industrial Site Reimagined
MOCAK's architecture reinforces that transformation.
The museum was designed by Italian architect Claudio Nardi and his team at Claudio Nardi Architette studio. Its neo-modernist design was created to work with the industrial character of the surrounding area while establishing a clearly contemporary identity.
The building covers approximately 10,000 square metres, including around 4,000 square metres of exhibition space. Its distinctive roof has become a recognisable feature of the Zabłocie district and part of the area's changing visual identity.
Large windows and open spaces contribute to a sense of accessibility, while the building itself creates a transition between Kraków's industrial past and its contemporary cultural life.
The museum is also fully accessible to visitors with mobility impairments.
A Collection Focused on Contemporary Art
MOCAK's purpose is not simply to display contemporary works. Its mission includes making contemporary art more accessible to different audiences while exploring its ethical and cognitive significance.
The collection now contains more than 5,000 works by several hundred Polish and international artists. A particular focus is placed on Polish art from the second half of the 20th century, presented in relation to wider international artistic developments.
Rather than relying primarily on a fixed display, much of the museum's exhibition space is devoted to temporary exhibitions. This keeps the programme changing and allows MOCAK to engage with different artistic practices and current conversations.
Artists represented through recent and featured exhibitions have included Marina Abramović, Ai Weiwei and Edward Dwurnik, alongside emerging Polish and Eastern European artists.
More Than a Traditional Museum
MOCAK also provides opportunities to experience contemporary art in more interactive ways.
Krystian Lupa's Live Factory 2, a permanent interactive installation inspired by Andy Warhol's legendary New York studio, reflects the museum's interest in creating experiences that go beyond conventional exhibition formats.
The Mieczysław Porębski Library adds another dimension, providing resources on art theory and history for students, researchers and others interested in the study of art.
Guest exhibitions that travel internationally further connect Kraków with the wider contemporary art world.
For visitors, MOCAK therefore offers several stories at once. There is the history of the factory and its wartime significance, the architectural transformation of an industrial site, and the development of a major institution dedicated to contemporary art.
That combination is central to the museum's identity. MOCAK does not stand apart from Kraków's history. Instead, its contemporary programme exists within a place where the past remains an important part of the experience.
Visitor Information
MOCAK – Museum of Contemporary Art in Kraków
ul. Lipowa 4, Kraków
Opening Hours:
Tuesday–Sunday: 11:00–19:00
Monday: Closed
