The foundations of the museum were set in 1987 during the International Modern Arts Exhibition which later on has become the International Istanbul Biennial. Antrepo number 4, on the Karakoy Harbor, covering eight thousand square meters, was soon turned into a museum. The building formerly belonged to Turkish Maritime Organizations Inc.

Apart from being an exhibition hall, Istanbul Modern introduces the new museum perception as a “Training and culture center”. It pursues the aim of building a cultural accumulation by means of the visual arts training programs prepared for the children and the young.

The first floor of the museum hosts the permanent collection exhibition. Here the artworls of the Turkish artists from the twentieth century until today are exhibited here in a thematic adjustment. At the floor below, there is the section allocated for the exhibitions with special themes that are changing periodically. Moreover, here is the “photography section” introducing the modern Turkish photography.

The museum is open everyday except Monday from 10.00 to 18.00.