It is a museum of modern and contemporary art, founded in 1972 with the support of President Salvador Allende. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it built its collection through donations, appealing to the solidarity of artists with Chile.
The museum houses one of the most important art collections in Latin America, featuring over 3,100 works—a number that continues to grow thanks to new donations from contemporary artists of historical significance.
The origins of the MSSA date back to early 1971 in Santiago, Chile, when the idea emerged to promote the donation of artworks among artistic circles in the Americas and Europe. This initiative allowed the government of the Unidad Popular (Popular Unity) to create a museum for the people of Chile.
Since March 2006, the museum has been located in a historic mansion in the Barrio República, operating as a Museum of Contemporary Art under the administration of the Arte y Solidaridad (Art and Solidarity) Foundation.
Over time, the museum has established itself as a prominent institution due to its unique formation process, its curatorial approach centered on art and social responsibility, and its role in mediation and fostering connections within the community.
