Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art
Saint Petersburg · Russia · Founded 2010
Quick answer
Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art in Saint Petersburg, Russia — erarta opened in 2010 on Vasilyevsky Island in Saint Petersburg as Russia's largest private museum of contemporary art. Open Wednesday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM; closed Tuesdays. Admission: 1,000 RUB standard admission. Allow 2–3 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Wednesday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Tuesdays |
| Admission | 1,000 RUB standard admission |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Best time to visit | Weekday afternoons — the museum stays open until 10 PM, so late visits are possible. |
| Getting there | Metro: Primorskaya metro station (Line 3) — 15-minute walk or short bus ride to the 29th Line |
| Address | 29th Line of Vasilyevsky Island, 2, St Petersburg, 199106 |
| Official website | erarta.com |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art known for?
Erarta opened in 2010 on Vasilyevsky Island in Saint Petersburg as Russia's largest private museum of contemporary art. Founded by businessman Dmitry Khankin and gallerist Marina Varvarina, it set out to document and champion Russian art from the late Soviet period to the present day.
The museum holds more than 2,800 works by some 300 artists from across Russia and the former Soviet republics. Its collection spans painting, sculpture, installation, video, and new media, with a particular strength in art produced outside the Moscow gallery mainstream.
Housed in a converted factory building on the 29th Line, Erarta combines permanent collection galleries with a busy programme of temporary exhibitions, an art shop, and a restaurant. The building's industrial scale allows for large-scale installations rarely seen in St Petersburg's historic centre.
Erarta also operates as a cultural platform, supporting emerging artists and publishing catalogues of contemporary Russian practice. It has become an essential stop for visitors seeking art beyond the Hermitage and Russian Museum.
Best for: Contemporary Art Fans · Art Lovers · Repeat Visitors to St Petersburg
How long do you need at Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art?
Allow 2–3 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
The Bathers
📍 Soviet Conceptualism Gallery
A key work of Moscow Conceptualism, part of Pivovarov's album-series exploring Soviet everyday life through ironic narrative painting.
- 2
Composition with Lenin
📍 Permanent Collection, Floor 2
Bulatov's signature fusion of Soviet propaganda typography with open landscape, dissolving ideological slogans into sky and horizon.
- 3
Homage to Malevich
📍 Post-War Russian Art Gallery
A major work by the unofficial Soviet artist who bridged Constructivist geometry and expressive post-war abstraction.
- 4
Large-Scale Installation Works
📍 Temporary Exhibition Halls
Erarta's industrial spaces regularly host immersive installations by leading contemporary Russian artists working at monumental scale.
What are the must-see works at Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art?
4 highlights that define the collection: The Bathers, Composition with Lenin, Homage to Malevich and more.
The Bathers
Viktor Pivovarov · 1972
📍 Soviet Conceptualism Gallery
A key work of Moscow Conceptualism, part of Pivovarov's album-series exploring Soviet everyday life through ironic narrative painting.
Composition with Lenin
Erik Bulatov · 1980s
📍 Permanent Collection, Floor 2
Bulatov's signature fusion of Soviet propaganda typography with open landscape, dissolving ideological slogans into sky and horizon.
Homage to Malevich
Vladimir Nemukhin · permanent collection
📍 Post-War Russian Art Gallery
A major work by the unofficial Soviet artist who bridged Constructivist geometry and expressive post-war abstraction.
Large-Scale Installation Works
Various contemporary artists · rotating
📍 Temporary Exhibition Halls
Erarta's industrial spaces regularly host immersive installations by leading contemporary Russian artists working at monumental scale.
Collections and highlights
- • Russian contemporary painting since 1945
- • Moscow and Leningrad Conceptualism
- • Unofficial Soviet-era art
- • Video art and new media
- • Sculpture and installation
- • Art from Russia's regions and former Soviet republics
- • Temporary exhibitions of international contemporary art
- • Erarta art shop and limited-edition prints
Tips for visiting Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art
- 1.
Best time to visit
Weekday afternoons — the museum stays open until 10 PM, so late visits are possible.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Generally uncrowded compared to central St Petersburg museums.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
Around 1,000 RUB standard admission; covers permanent collection and most temporary shows.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Erarta's own restaurant and café on site; more dining options on Vasilyevsky Island's 6th–7th Lines.
- 5.
Accessibility
Modern lift access throughout the converted factory building.
How do you get to Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art?
- metro Primorskaya metro station (Line 3) — 15-minute walk or short bus ride to the 29th Line
- tram Tram routes 6 and 40 serve Vasilyevsky Island's 6th and 7th Lines, connecting to the museum area
- bus Multiple bus routes from Nevsky Prospekt cross Vasilyevsky Island to the 29th Line
Address: 29th Line of Vasilyevsky Island, 2, St Petersburg, 199106
Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art: frequently asked questions
Is one ticket valid for all floors?
Yes, admission covers the permanent collection and most temporary exhibitions.
How do I reach Vasilyevsky Island?
Buses, trams and the Primorskaya metro all serve the island.
How long should I spend at Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights of Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art. Our 4-stop route — The Bathers, Composition with Lenin, Homage to Malevich and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art best known for?
Erarta opened in 2010 to support Russian contemporary art, with a permanent collection of more than 2,800 works by some 300 artists from across the country. Key highlights include Permanent collection of contemporary Russian art, Immersive U-Space installations, Outdoor sculpture park.
How do I get tickets for Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art?
Admission: 1,000 RUB standard admission. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.erarta.com/en/
Is Erarta far from the city centre?
It is on Vasilyevsky Island, about 20 minutes from the Hermitage by taxi or metro. The island itself has historic streets and the Kunstkamera museum nearby.
Are labels in English?
Major works and exhibition texts are provided in both Russian and English throughout the museum.
Does one ticket cover everything?
Yes — standard admission includes the permanent collection and most temporary exhibitions on all floors.
Is Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art open on Tuesdays?
No — Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art is closed every Tuesday. It is open Wednesday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art's opening hours?
Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art is open Wednesday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM, and closed Tuesdays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art free to visit?
No — standard admission is 1,000 RUB standard admission.
