UCCA Center for Contemporary Art occupies former factory halls in the centre of Beijing's 798 Art District. It opened in 2007 as the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art. Since a reorganisation in 2017, the institution has used its present name, UCCA.
The change of name is not a cosmetic detail. UCCA is now led by a group of Chinese and international supporters and operates several museums. The Beijing building remains the main venue for a programme that connects Chinese contemporary art with the international scene.
The exhibition complex covers more than 10,000 square metres. Its halls were built in the 1950s from designs by East German architects working in the postwar Bauhaus tradition. Industrial traces were complemented by renovations by Jean Michel Wilmotte, Qingyun Ma and later OMA.
The programme is not limited to one generation or medium. UCCA organises exhibitions, public discussions, screenings, educational programmes and research. Since its establishment, it has welcomed more than ten million visitors and presented over two hundred exhibitions.
Its position in 798 is important. A museum visit can naturally continue into surrounding galleries, studios, shops and other cultural spaces. The district allows visitors to compare a large institutional exhibition with smaller commercial or experimental projects.
UCCA Beijing is usually open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00 and 19:00, with final admission at 18:30. Visitors should confirm the programme and opening hours in advance because special exhibitions and events can alter the schedule.
