Copenhagen Contemporary - CC

What Copenhagen Contemporary - CC does

Copenhagen Contemporary (CC), legally Copenhagen Contemporary Fonden, is a Danish nonprofit art foundation founded in 2014 and opened to the public in 2016. It operates Copenhagen's international contemporary art center out of a 7,000 m2 former B&W welding hall on Refshaleøen, renovated by architect Dorte Mandrup. The institution presents large-scale installation art, performance, and monumental video works by world-leading and emerging contemporary artists, anchored by its permanent acquisition of James Turrell's Aftershock (the first work in its 21st century collection, funded by Augustinus Fonden) and a 2026 slate that includes Camille Henrot's Paper Planes, Shapeshifters with EMMA/Nasjonalmuseet/Röhsska, and a Kengo Kuma / KKAA CCreate installation.

CC's core offering is a rotating exhibition program supported by a year-round events calendar (CC Summer Nights, CC Skills creative courses, CC Care, CC Cinema), guided tours in Danish and English, educational programs for schools (daycare through higher education), team-building workshops, family and children's programming (BørneCCirklen, birthday parties), and venue rentals for corporate events in spaces including Hal 6 (up to 600 persons). On-site amenities include the Darcy's & CC café and the CC Shop, both offering member discounts. Social engagement is formalized through CC Fællesskaber (Thursday Club with Nørrebrobyggerne, FGU x CC, Kunstdemokraterne) and the new CC Horizons talent program for Danish artists.

The business model is a diversified nonprofit funding stack. Earned revenue streams include ticket sales (140 DKK adult, 95 DKK student, 25 DKK child, 115 DKK group), membership subscriptions (25 DKK/month, 450 DKK/year 1+1, 195 DKK/year student, 275 DKK/year Barn+1), guided tours (950–2,400 DKK), school programs (600–950 DKK), venue rentals, and café/retail income. The remainder is funded through government grants from Kulturministeriet and Københavns Kommune and approximately twelve Danish foundations, including Augustinus Fonden, 15. Juni Fonden (2M DKK for CC Horizons in 2026), Ny Carlsberg Fondet, Statens Kunstfond, and A.P. Møller Fonden. Marie Laurberg has been Director since 2022; Erik Jacobsen chairs the board.

Name

Copenhagen Contemporary - CC

Legal name

Copenhagen Contemporary Fonden

Website

https://copenhagencontemporary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Copenhagen Contemporary (CC) is a Danish nonprofit contemporary art foundation operating a 7,000 m2 exhibition center on Refshaleøen in Copenhagen, presenting large-scale installation art and serving general public, families, schools, corporate clients, and community organizations through exhibitions, education, and venue rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contemporary Art Center

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums (712110)

SIC

Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers) (THAHAAAA)

Keywords

• Contemporary art center
• Art exhibitions
• Museum exhibitions
• Art education programs
• Cultural institution

Headquarters

HQ city

Copenhagen

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Individual admission tickets for exhibitions and special events
2. Membership Subscriptions: Monthly and annual membership programs offering free admission, guest discounts, and exclusive events. Includes Subscription (25 DKK/month), 1+1 (450 DKK/year), Student (195 DKK/year), and Barn+1 (275 DKK/year) tiers
3. Venue Rentals: Rental of exhibition spaces and venues (Hal 6, Panorama, Café, Foyer, etc.) for corporate events, conferences, and private functions
4. Guided Tours: Guided tours for groups, companies, and individuals in multiple languages
5. Educational Programs: School workshops and educational programs for various age groups and institutions
6. Government Grants and Sponsorship: Nonprofit funding from government bodies (Kulturministeriet, Københavns Kommune) and private foundations (15. Juni Fonden, Augustinusfonden, Ny Carlsberg Fondet, etc.)
7. Café Operations: Darcy's & CC café operated by Darcy's offering food, coffee, and beverages with 10% discount for members

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Copenhagen Contemporary (CC) is an international contemporary art center operating in a 7,000 m2 renovated industrial hall on Refshaleøen in Copenhagen. The core offering is large-scale installation art exhibitions by world-leading and emerging contemporary artists, complemented by guided tours, educational programs for schools and adults, venue rentals for corporate events, family and children's programs, on-site café (Darcy's & CC), retail shop, and membership subscriptions.

Product overview

Copenhagen Contemporary (CC) is Copenhagen's international art center housed in a renovated B&W shipyard hall (7,000 m²) designed by architect Dorte Mandrup. The institution presents large-scale installation art, performance art, and monumental video works by world-leading contemporary artists and emerging talents. The core offering consists of rotating exhibitions across multiple halls, supplemented by a year-round events calendar (CC Summer Nights, CC Skills courses, CC Care wellness), educational programs for schools and adults, venue rentals for corporate events, family/children's programming including BørneCCirklen and birthday parties, social community projects (CC Fællesskaber), membership tiers, on-site café (Darcy's & CC), and a retail shop. The institution operates as a nonprofit organization with public funding and sponsorship support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CCreate: A creative platform and experimental space for children and adults, featuring workshops and hands-on creative activities
• Darcy's & CC
• CC Skills
• CC Fællesskaber
• CC10
• CC Horizons

Products and services

• Contemporary Art Exhibitions Rotating large-scale installation art exhibitions featuring world-leading contemporary artists and emerging talents. The core offering of CC, presented across multiple halls in the 7,000 m2 venue.
• Guided Tours (Omvisninger) Expert-led tours of exhibitions lasting approximately 45 minutes, available in Danish and English. Available for groups, companies, and individuals.
• Venue Rentals (Lej CC) Rental of CC's distinctive industrial spaces for corporate events, conferences, meetings, and receptions.
• Membership Programs Subscription memberships offering free admission, guest discounts, and access to exclusive events across multiple tiers.
• Educational Programs for Schools Teaching programs for educational institutions from daycare through higher education in 1-hour (600 DKK) and 2-hour (950 DKK) formats.
• CC Skills Adult Creative Courses Creative courses for adults taught by professional artists covering drawing, painting, and writing.
• Corporate Workshops (Workshops for Organizations) Team-building and creativity workshops for corporate clients, including Kreativ Styrketræning and Det Kreative Team.
• Darcy's & CC Café On-site café operated by Darcy's offering specialty coffee, homemade cakes, and vegetarian dishes; 10% member discount.
• CC Shop Retail shop selling exhibition merchandise, art books, and unique items with 10% member discount.
• Family and Children's Programs Family-friendly activities including BørneCCirklen weekend workshops, birthday parties, and free workshop access.
• CC Fællesskaber Social Projects Community engagement initiatives including Torsdagsklub, disability workshops, FGU x CC, and Kunstdemokraterne.
• CC Summer Nights (Events and Calendar) Weekly Thursday evening summer events with DJ sets, live music, and partner collaborations.
• CC10 Performance Festival 10th anniversary performance festival celebrating a decade of Copenhagen Contemporary.
• CC Horizons Talent Program Talent program to strengthen Danish artists' international careers through exhibitions and global network access.
• CCreate: Kengo Kuma/KKAA – Earth | Tree CCreate site-specific installation by Kengo Kuma and Associates exploring gentle architecture through brick and wood.

Quantifiable outcome

• Record summer 2025 visitor numbers - largest since 2016 opening

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Kengo Kuma and Associates (KKAA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Japanese architectural firm led by internationally renowned architect Kengo Kuma created site-specific installation 'Earth | Tree' for CC's CCreate series. Yuki Ikeguchi led the KKAA team for the installation.
• ALPHA (bane Lynge-Jorlén)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Collaboration with fashion professional bane Lynge-Jorlén to develop 'Shapeshifters – Magic in Art & Fashion' exhibition featuring Nordic designers and artists.
• EMMA (Finland)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Nordic partnership for Shapeshifters exhibition with EMMA (Finland), Nasjonalmuseet (Norway), and Röhsska Museet (Sweden).
• Nasjonalmuseet (Norway)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Nordic partnership for Shapeshifters exhibition with EMMA (Finland), Nasjonalmuseet (Norway), and Röhsska Museet (Sweden).
• Röhsska Museet (Sweden)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Nordic partnership for Shapeshifters exhibition with EMMA (Finland), Nasjonalmuseet (Norway), and Röhsska Museet (Sweden).
• GlyptoteketcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Unique collaboration with Glyptoteket for Alia Farid's exhibition 'A Sounding of the Earth' - the first exhibition in Denmark of the Kuwaiti-Puerto Rican artist.
• Darcy'scoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Darcy's & CC café opened as extension of CC's art halls, operated by established Copenhagen café operator Darcy's. Offers 10% discount to CC members.
• Project Art WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024British artist collective of neurodiverse artists that has worked for 25 years with artists with complex support needs. Their exhibition 'Residential' was shown at CC in 2024, and their methods informed CC's workshops for groups with functional variations and neurodivergence.
• NørrebrobyggernecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership with the Lundtoftegade housing association on Nørrebro. Together they developed the Thursday Club for children aged 9-13, providing weekly art activities, and a pathway to part-time jobs at CC for youth aged 13+.
• Til VægsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Til Vægs exhibition venue to develop the Thursday Club program for children.
• FGU HovedstadencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration with the Preparatory Basic Education (FGU) offering annual creative programs where CC's art forms the framework for students' artistic projects. Includes special projects with dyslexic students and youth.
• Sammenslutningen af Unge Med Handicap (SUMH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with youth disability organization on Kunstdemokraterne project exploring tolerance through art, including exhibition on International Disability Day.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• HEART Herning Museum of Contemporary Art: Danish contemporary art museum in Herning with a strong exhibition and event programming profile. Comparable as a Danish contemporary art institution with public funding support and rotation exhibitions.
• Louisiana Museum of Modern Art: Denmark's leading contemporary and modern art museum located in Humlebæk, north of Copenhagen. Directly comparable as a Nordic contemporary/modern art institution competing for the same Danish and international art-tourist audience and foundation support.
• ARKEN Museum of Modern Art: Danish contemporary art museum located in Ishøj. Comparable as a Danish contemporary art venue competing for visitors, exhibitions, and donor funding within the Copenhagen metropolitan catchment area.
• Hangar Bicocca: Milan-based contemporary art space housed in a converted industrial hangar, presenting large-scale installations. Directly comparable to CC's model of repurposed industrial architecture for monumental contemporary art.
• Astrup Fearnley Museet: Major contemporary art museum in Oslo housed in a signature Renzo Piano building. Comparable to CC as a Nordic contemporary art institution with architecturally distinctive venue and corporate/event space revenues.
• EMMA Espoo Museum of Modern Art: Finnish contemporary art museum that is a direct Nordic partner of CC on the Shapeshifters exhibition. Comparable as a Nordic contemporary art institution with similar mission and exhibition-driven model.

Broad incumbents

• Moderna Museet: Sweden's premier modern and contemporary art museum in Stockholm. Comparable as a larger Nordic incumbent in the same contemporary art category, with broader historical scope but overlapping visitor audience and exhibition programming.
• Tate Modern: London's flagship contemporary art museum. Comparable as a global contemporary art institution, though at substantially larger scale and with a permanent collection focus.
• Palais de Tokyo: Large-scale contemporary art center in Paris focused on installation and performance art. Comparable to CC as a large-venue contemporary art institution emphasizing ephemeral and large-scale exhibitions over traditional collections.

Regional players

• KODE Kunstmuseer: Bergen-based Norwegian art museum complex. Comparable as a Nordic contemporary art institution with rotating exhibitions, though operating in a different geography than CC's Copenhagen market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cc.copenhagencontemporary
• Instagraminstagram.com/copenhagen_contemporary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/copenhagen-contemporary-cc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Copenhagen Contemporary - CC