The Art Modern Institute Museum of Valencia, known as IVAM, is a modern and contemporary art museum on Guillem de Castro Street, at the edge of El Carmen. Its collection spans painting, sculpture, photography and drawings, with a focus on the sculptor Julio González and painter Ignacio Pinazo. Temporary exhibitions bring in artists from Valencia and further afield, and the galleries also contain a section of Valencia’s former medieval walls. Sunday admission is free, making it a useful option for an art-focused stop in the city.
A collection focused on modern art
The Institut Valencià d’Art Modern, or IVAM, opened in 1989 as Spain’s first modern art museum. Its collection includes more than 11,000 works, among them paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs. The museum’s programme combines displays from its own holdings with temporary exhibitions and events connected to current art.
Two artists have a particular place in the collection: Julio González, the Catalan sculptor, and Ignacio Pinazo, a Valencian painter. The González holdings include almost 400 works in wrought iron. Pinazo’s work represents a local strand of the collection, alongside art from Spain and other parts of the world.
Temporary exhibitions and museum activities
Exhibitions bring modern and contemporary artists into conversation with the permanent collection. The programme has included photography related to Picasso’s work on Guernica, taken in his Paris studio by Dora Maar, and images documenting the creation of La Tauromaquia by David Douglas Duncan.
IVAM also organizes conferences, courses, workshops and concerts connected with exhibitions and other areas of contemporary art. A library holds art-related documents for visitors interested in researching beyond the galleries.
The medieval wall remains
The Sala de la Muralla contains surviving sections of Valencia’s medieval fortifications. The walls were dismantled, but these remains are preserved within the museum, adding a historical layer to a visit centred on modern art.
Planning your visit
IVAM is on C/ de Guillem de Castro, 118, near the El Carmen area. The C1 bus, which circles the city, stops outside the museum.
Admission is free on Sundays. Some published information also lists free evening periods, but the details differ, so check IVAM’s official website before planning around them. The museum is closed on Mondays and has a café and shop on site.
FAQ
Is admission to IVAM free?
Admission is free on Sundays. Check the museum’s official website for current ticket information and any other free-entry periods.
What can you see at IVAM?
The collection includes modern and contemporary paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs, with a focus on Julio González and Ignacio Pinazo. A section of Valencia’s former medieval walls is also on view.
Where is IVAM in Valencia?
The museum is at C/ de Guillem de Castro, 118, near El Carmen. The C1 bus stops outside.
Is IVAM closed on any day?
Yes. The museum is closed on Mondays.
