Centro de Arte Contemporáneo del Bicentenario Emilia Ortíz

In the heart of Tepic lies one of the region's most significant cultural landmarks — the Emilia Ortiz Bicentennial Center of Contemporary Art. Opened in 2010, this museum has become the primary venue for promoting the work of local and national artists in Mexico. It is housed in the magnificent Casa Aguirre, a historic building that serves as a prime example of late 19th-century Neoclassical architecture.

The museum is named in honor of the renowned Mexican artist Emilia Ortiz Pérez, whose works form the core of the permanent collection. Here, you can see not only her paintings reflecting the traditions of Nayarit but also the witty caricatures that brought her widespread fame.

Today, this center is an ambitious project uniting six exhibition halls, a state art gallery, and creative workshops under one roof. Visitors appreciate it for its unique blend of historical atmosphere and bold contemporary exhibitions, which is reflected in its high ratings from travelers.

For information about current exhibitions or to register for workshops, you can use the following contact details. The center's staff are generally available to help visitors navigate the cultural program of the state of Nayarit.

The highlight of any visit to the center is the Emilia Ortiz Permanent Collection. Visitors can view over 60 of the artist's works, including her famous caricatures of local characters and illustrations of folk proverbs. Particular attention should be paid to the paintings depicting the customs of the indigenous peoples of Nayarit — the Cora and Huichol — their ritual dances, and Holy Week celebrations.

In addition to the permanent collection, the museum's six halls regularly host temporary exhibitions of contemporary sculpture, photography, and installations. For example, you might find works dedicated to anthropological research and the lives of Mexico's modern ethnic groups, providing a deeper understanding of the state's cultural code.

For those who prefer active participation, the center hosts the Taller de la Plástica Nayarita and El Peyote workshops. Here, you can sign up for courses in drawing, painting, photography, or engraving. Thanks to the free admission, visiting the museum is an excellent way to spend a quiet evening in a creative environment, just steps away from the city's main square.

The landmark is located in the very heart of the city at Miguel Hidalgo 17. Thanks to its central location, the Casa Aguirre building is easily accessible on foot from most iconic spots in the historic center, including the Municipal Palace (Palacio Municipal).

If you are arriving in Tepic by air, the trip from Tepic Airport (TPQ) takes about 15–20 minutes by taxi or Uber. The distance is approximately 10–15 kilometers. You can also use local buses that regularly run to the Centro district.

For those who prefer to travel by private or rental car, there are parking areas near the cultural center. The main streets of the central district serve as a good reference for your GPS, and Google Maps can help you find the best route based on current traffic.

The building housing the center is known as Casa Aguirre. This grand estate was built in the late 19th century (with some records suggesting completion in 1911) by the influential Spanish landowning Aguirre family. At the time, they owned dozens of estates, sugar mills, and industrial enterprises, which is reflected in the building's Neoclassical architecture with eclectic elements.

The idea of transforming this historic monument into a modern art space was born in 2005. The restoration lasted five years under the strict supervision of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) to preserve the building's authenticity. The grand opening took place on September 24, 2010, becoming one of the largest cultural projects in the state of Nayarit, with an investment of approximately 80 million pesos.

The center proudly bears the name of Emilia Ortiz (1917–2013), an outstanding painter and caricaturist born in Tepic. Her work became a bridge between the region's traditional art and contemporary movements. It was her personal archive of 60 donated paintings that formed the foundation of the museum's permanent collection.

Interestingly, prior to 2010, the art center existed in a much more modest space. Moving to the spacious halls of Casa Aguirre allowed it to become a full-fledged cultural hub, housing not only exhibition halls but also the state pinacotheca and graphic workshops.

A standard tour of all six exhibition halls and the main Emilia Ortiz collection typically takes 1 to 2 hours. This is ample time to leisurely explore the paintings, sculptures, and photographs on display.

If you plan to visit a temporary exhibition or participate in one of the creative workshops, you should set aside 2–3 hours for your visit. The atmosphere of the old estate invites long contemplation, so art lovers may find themselves spending even more time enjoying the tranquility in the very center of the bustling city.

The Center of Contemporary Art is open to visitors from Tuesday to Friday, 09:00 to 19:00. On Saturdays, there is a midday break: the museum is open from 10:00 to 14:00 and again from 15:00 to 19:00. Sunday is a short day, with exhibitions open from 10:00 to 14:00. The museum is closed on Mondays.

A welcome bonus for travelers is the free admission to all permanent and most temporary exhibitions. It is recommended to check the current schedule on their official social media pages, as hours may change during holidays.

A stroll around the cultural center allows you to immerse yourself deeper in the atmosphere of this colonial city. Tepic's historic center is compact, making it easy to combine the main architectural monuments and museums into a single walking route.