Museum of Visual Arts

It is based in Heraklion, Crete, and is dedicated to the study, promotion, and presentation of visual arts, with a strong emphasis on contemporary Greek artistic creation.

From its early years, the museum focused on collecting and supporting the work of Cretan artists, aiming to preserve and highlight local artistic production. In 2006, it began systematically cataloguing its collection and preparing an official catalogue of works. The first exhibition took place in 2007 under the title “Contemporary Art – A Glimpse into the Artistic Landscape of Crete”, marking the beginning of its active public presence. Since then, the museum has organised numerous exhibitions both in Heraklion and in other locations in Greece and abroad.

Over time, the museum expanded its scope beyond Crete. From 2014 onwards, it began including artists from across Greece, presenting a broader overview of modern and contemporary Greek art and showcasing works considered significant within the wider artistic scene.

Today, the collection of the Museum of Visual Arts of Heraklion is divided into three main sections. The first and most important includes notable works by artists from 1850 to the present day, forming the core of the collection. The second section contains smaller works and gifts, often offered as personal keepsakes by artists. The third section is dedicated to amateur artistic creation from the local community, preserving it for future research and cultural documentation.

The museum’s mission is not only to collect and preserve artworks but also to enrich them with commentary and interpretation, allowing each piece to tell its own story. Through this approach, the museum aims to create a living archive of artistic expression that reflects both professional and everyday creativity in Greece.