NOVIDADE emerged within the context of Dona Ajuda, in Lisbon, with the intention of establishing a regular cultural and exhibition space, open to the public and integrated into a project with an already rooted social dimension.

From the outset, it has sought to respond to a concrete need: to create a place where artists at different stages of their careers could present their work for the first time under real conditions, outside an exclusively academic or institutional context. The programme has developed continuously, with temporary exhibitions, open openings, and moments of encounter between artists and the public.

In its first months of activity, NOVIDADE established a regular rhythm of exhibitions and a direct relationship with its audience, maintaining a steady flow of visitors throughout the shows and organising talks, visits, and other events that expand the experience within the space.

Today, it stands as an ongoing project, with a defined programme and a distinct identity, built through practice, proximity, and a sustained attentiveness to the work presented.

Mission Statement

NOVIDADE is an artist-run exhibition space dedicated to the presentation of contemporary art, with a particular focus on first exhibition moments and on practices developed by creators from other fields.

It seeks to create genuine conditions for encounters between artwork, artist, and audience, within an accessible, everyday context, promoting the autonomy of participating artists and encouraging partnerships and collaborations.

Embedded within Dona Ajuda, it brings artistic creation into dialogue with a broader social context, understanding culture as an integral part of everyday life.

Our mission is to create a space where artists at early stages of exhibiting can present their work under real conditions, in direct contact with a broad and diverse audience.