Kim? Contemporary Art Centre

What Kim? Contemporary Art Centre does

Kim? Contemporary Art Centre is a non-governmental non-profit art institution founded in 2009 in Riga, Latvia, that presents contemporary art exhibitions, events, education programmes, and publications. The organization operates two physical venues—the main gallery at Sporta iela 2 (since 2016, first tenant of the Sporta Quarter) and a newly acquired second location at Hanzas iela 22 (transferred by the Latvian Parliament in March 2024, with renovation targeted for 2034, intended to host 500 sqm of exhibition space, 12 artist studios, 4 international residency studios, a public garden, and a hydroponics farm). Its core offering includes the Exhibition Program alongside the annual Kim? Open Call (since 2016) for emerging artists and curators aged 18-30 offering up to 3,000 EUR funding, the Kim? Residency Award (since 2015) placing Latvian artists at ISCP New York, KW Berlin, Gasworks London, and Artport Tel Aviv, the Kim? Summer Residency for international visitors, an Education Program with guided tours and workshops, and the online Riga Technoculture Research Unit (RTRU) platform built on a framework programmed by Becca Abbe.

The organization is structured as a Biedrība (association) under Latvian law with public benefit status, enabling tax-deductible donations. Revenue is generated through five streams: annual membership at 40 EUR (subscription, recurring), individual and corporate donations, corporate sponsorship of exhibitions and openings (contact routed through Executive Director Evita Goze), government and EU project grants (Ministry of Culture, State Culture Capital Foundation, Riga City Council, ERDF), and curated patron trips to international galleries and studios. Go-to-market combines physical exhibition access (free entry, Tuesday–Sunday 12:00–18:00), educational workshops, social media (Facebook, Instagram), email newsletter, and participation in international art fairs (Esther NYC, Art Warsaw) alongside hosting the annual Riga Contemporary fair.

Kim? is led by founder Zane Čulkstēna (Board Chair), Executive Director Evita Goze (also board member), Programme Director Zane Onckule, Communications Manager Kristiāna Bērza, Gallery Director Dārta Purvlīce, and Project Managers including Katrīna Jauģiete and Betija Briede. Over 15 years, the institution has produced 280+ exhibitions, supported 100+ artists through its Open Call, and established itself as a leading contemporary art platform in the Baltic region, though it has historically operated without regular state funding and relies on project-based grant writing and donor support.

Name

Kim? Contemporary Art Centre

Legal name

Biedrība "KIM?"

Website

https://kim.lv

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kim? Contemporary Art Centre is a Riga-based non-profit art institution, founded in 2009, that presents contemporary art exhibitions, artist residencies, education programmes, and publications for the general public, emerging artists, and international cultural partners in the Baltic region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contemporary Art Centre / Non-Profit Cultural Institution

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Museums (712110)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural Centers & Multidisciplinary Arts Institutions (THAJADAJ), Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB), Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Illustration) (EDAAAGAA), Specialty & Historic Venues (Landmarks, Estates) (THAHAAAK)

Keywords

• Contemporary art exhibitions
• Artist residency programs
• Art education workshops
• Nonprofit art institution
• Curatorial publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Riga

HQ country

Latvia

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Annual membership at 40 EUR providing card, event access for 2 people, and member-only breakfast meetups. Generates recurring revenue while building community loyalty.
2. Donations and patronage: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations. Kim? holds public benefit status enabling donors to receive tax deductions. Also includes patron trips to explore contemporary culture with private tours.
3. Corporate sponsorship: Corporate sponsors connect with diverse audiences through exhibition visibility, opening events (hundreds of attendees), and year-round visitor engagement. Contact: [email protected]
4. Government and EU funding: Funding from Ministry of Culture, State Culture Capital Foundation, Riga City Council, and EU funds (including REACT-EU funding for professional art accessibility). The center has danced through 10 years without sufficient or regular state funding, relying on project writing dedication.
5. Patron trips program: Annual patron trips curated by experts to explore world-renowned galleries, artists' studios, meet museum heads, and view collectors' homes in private circles of supporters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kim? Contemporary Art Centre runs a contemporary art exhibition programme at its physical galleries in Riga (Sporta iela 2 and Hanzas iela 22), complemented by annual Open Call competitions for emerging artists (up to 3000 EUR funding), international residency placements (ISCP New York, Gasworks London, KW Berlin, Artport Tel Aviv), a Summer Residency programme, educational workshops and tours, publications, and the RTRU online research platform on technoculture. The institution operates as a non-profit with public benefit status, funded through grants, donations, membership, corporate sponsorship, and patron trips.

Product overview

Kim? Contemporary Art Centre operates as a contemporary art institution offering exhibition spaces, artist residencies, education programs, and publications. The core offering includes exhibition programming at venues on Sporta iela 2 and Hanzas iela 22 in Riga, Latvia. Supporting programs include the Kim? Open Call competition, Kim? Residency Award enabling international residencies, Summer Residency program, membership scheme, patron trips, and the online RTRU research platform. The institution was founded in 2009 and has produced over 280 exhibitions, functioning as a non-governmental organization with public benefit status.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kim? Open Call Annual competition for emerging artists, curators, and creative groups aged 18-30 from Latvia or of Latvian origin to realise an exhibition at Kim? Contemporary Art Centre, with curator support, funding up to 3000 EUR, and exhibition space provided. Open Call 2024 received nearly 40 project submissions.
• Kim? Residency Award Annual residency award established in 2015 supporting Latvian artists' development and international recognition through residencies at partner institutions abroad, including ISCP New York, Gasworks London, KW Berlin, and Artport Tel Aviv. The 2026 recipient is Agate Tūna at ISCP NYC.
• Kim? Summer Residency International summer residency program in Riga hosting two arts professionals for six-week periods (June-July/August), with shared apartment, studio space at Hanzas 22, and participation in public programming.
• Membership Program Annual membership at 40 EUR providing a membership card, access to all events for 2 people, and invitations to member-only breakfast meetups.
• Patron Trips Annual curated trips exploring contemporary culture gems worldwide, including private gallery tours, artist studio visits, museum director meetings, and collector home visits.
• Exhibition Program Core program featuring contemporary art exhibitions at Sporta iela 2 venue and off-site Hanzas iela 22 location, including solo shows, group exhibitions, and international festivals. Over 280 exhibitions held since 2009.
• Education Program Educational activities including guided tours, creative workshops for children, youth, students, families, and groups, and collaborative programs with schools and institutions. Includes the Minecraft Education Edition Hour of Code partnership with Microsoft for students aged 8-15.
• Publications Catalogues, exhibition publications, and artist books documenting exhibitions and artistic practices, available for purchase by email request.
• Riga Technoculture Research Unit (RTRU) Online research platform examining the expanding universe of technical images in contemporary art practice, with seasonal themed publications and commissioned works by international artists and curators.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15+ years of continuous operation with 280+ exhibitions without sufficient state funding
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Riga ContemporarymajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Annual art fair festival partnership. Kim? serves as festival partner for Riga Contemporary 2026, attracting 40 galleries from 15 countries.
• Esther Art Fair (Temnikova & Kasela, Margot Samel)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Alternative gallery collaboration model taking place at Estonian House NYC. Kim? participated in inaugural edition with Indriķis Ģelzis works, joining 26 international galleries in alternative art fair format.
• Nordic Culture PointcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Nordic-Baltic mobility program support for network of art institutions exploring curatorial approaches to climate change. Project 'In Search for a Garden beyond the Human Gaze' created network between CAC Vilnius, KAI Tallinn, Kim? Riga, and Färgfabriken Stockholm.
• Microsoft LatviaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership for Hour of Code initiative using Minecraft Education Edition. Students from Baltic states aged 8-15 create digital contemporary art installations. Project connects art and technology education.
• ISCP (International Studio & Curatorial Program)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Seven-year collaboration providing Kim? Residency Award winners with 2-month residencies at ISCP in NYC. Supports Latvian artist international visibility through studio visits with internationally recognized curators. Vija Celmiņš Foundation has supported studio costs for second consecutive year (2026 residency).
• CAC Contemporary Art Center (Vilnius)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Nordic-Baltic network of art institutions exploring climate change through curatorial practices.
• KAI (Tallinn)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Nordic-Baltic network of art institutions exploring climate change through curatorial practices.
• Färgfabriken (Stockholm)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Nordic-Baltic network of art institutions exploring climate change through curatorial practices.
• Datorzinību Centrs (DZC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerComputer Science Center partnership for Hour of Code initiative implementation.
• Pillar ContractorminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction organization and quality control company for Hanzas iela 22 renovation project.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art (LCCA): Riga-based contemporary art organization operating in the same city as Kim?. Provides exhibitions, research, and educational programs on Latvian and international contemporary art—directly comparable mission and local audience overlap.
• Färgfabriken Stockholm: Stockholm-based contemporary art center participating in the same Nordic-Baltic climate-curatorial network as Kim?. Combines exhibitions, residencies, and public programs with a comparable multi-disciplinary cultural institution model.
• Contemporary Art Center (CAC) Vilnius: Leading contemporary art center in Vilnius, Lithuania—Kim?'s direct Baltic counterpart and active Nordic-Baltic network partner on the climate-change curatorial project. Operates similar exhibition, residency, and education programming in the neighboring Baltic country.
• Gasworks: London-based contemporary art organization offering international residencies; one of Kim?'s core residency partners. Closely comparable model combining artist residencies, exhibitions, and public programs for emerging international artists.
• KW Institute for Contemporary Art: Berlin-based contemporary art institute that is Kim?'s international residency partner (Kim? Residency Award sends Latvian artists to KW). Similar exhibition + residency + publication model operating at a larger scale and serving as Kim?'s reference peer for international programming.
• BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art: Gateshead (UK)-based contemporary art center with similar mission to present international contemporary art exhibitions, commission new work, and run learning programs. Comparable scale, public-benefit status, and exhibition-driven model.
• Kunsthalle Praha: Prague-based contemporary art institution occupying a repurposed historic building, comparable to Kim?'s Hanzas iela 22 renovation strategy. Combines large-scale exhibitions, residencies, and public programs at a similar institutional scale.
• KAI Kunstihoone / Tallinn Art Hall: Tallinn-based contemporary art center and Kim?'s Nordic-Baltic network partner on climate-curatorial collaborations. Operates exhibition programming and educational programs for emerging Estonian artists with comparable scale and mission.
• Wiels Contemporary Art Centre: Brussels-based contemporary art center in a converted industrial building, offering exhibitions, residencies, and educational programs. Directly comparable institutional model to Kim?'s repurposed Hanzas iela 22 approach.
• ISCP (International Studio & Curatorial Program): New York-based international residency program—Kim?'s longest-running and most prolific residency partner (7 years of collaboration). Directly comparable artist-development mission with studio + curatorial + exhibition programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/kasirmaksla
• Instagraminstagram.com/kim_cac
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kim-cac

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Kim? Contemporary Art Centre