The Gallery throughout Time

The key role in the creation of what would become the Gallery was played by Sava Tekelija, a great Serbian benefactor and endowment holder, the first lifelong president of Matica Srpska, and Teodor Pavlović, its secretary. Being aware of the importance that culture, and art have in setting up and preserving national identity, both of them worked hard on establishing of The Serbian National Collection, that is, The Matica Srpska Museum. Thanks to the nationally conscious Serbian citizens and their donatives, the gift collection of the Museum was formed and gradually filled up.

The most significant and valuable collection was singled out as the current art collection of the Gallery of Matica Srpska. Despite the turbulent times of the second half of the 19^th and the first half of the 20^th century, which were marked by historical and political turmoil, social and economic changes, the Gallery has been developed continuously, adapting to the given circumstances. During this period, several key events determined its history:

In 1864, Matica Srpska was relocated from Pest to Novi Sad

In 1933, opening of the Matica Srpska Museum to the public

In 1947, the art collection of Matica Srpska received the status of a special collection called the Gallery of Matica Srpska

In 1958, it was relocated to its present building in the center of Novi Sad, the Gallery of Matica srpska officially began its independent life, with the opening of the First Permanent Display.

Over the next decades, the systematic processing of the collection, its protection, publication and presentation was done through numerous exhibitions in Serbia and abroad, despite the unfavorable political and social reality that marked the last decade of the 20^th century. The new millennium brought a new vision, new ideas and guidelines in the direction of development and activities of the Gallery. Keeping up with modern museological trends, the Gallery had been adapted and changed, growing into one of the leading museum establishments in Serbia. Its work and quality are recognized beyond the country’s borders, while the great number of awards and recognitions that the Gallery received in the past two decades, confirm its significance.

The first two decades of the century were marked by modernization and by setting up new standards in the professional work of the Gallery: adaptation of the building and refurbishing of the exhibition space, formation of a new Permanent exhibition, introduction of numerous new programs and editions, all based on different methodological and multidisciplinary approaches. The new display depicts the development and achievements of Serbian art of recent times indicating the position and place of Serbian culture and art in the European context.

The works of art live under the roof of the Gallery. We bring them to life with our knowledge and our activities, so that the audience may experience them and turn every encounter with art into a unique aesthetic, visual and sensual experience.

In the years ahead, we prepare international projects and programs as a part of celebration of the title Novi Sad 2022 ‒ European Capital of Culture, and national projects that celebrate the 175^th anniversary of the founding of the Gallery of Matica Srpska.