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A structure of visual arts and photography galleries and centers has received a clearer shape in Lithuania in the recent years. The structure includes: galleries founded and maintained by the State and municipalities; non-governmental organizations (including creative artists’ unions and newly founded public institutions, NGOs); state - run higher education institutions (Vilnius Academy of Visual Arts, and Vilnius Art Gymnasium by M. K. Čiurlionis), as well as private initiatives. Such galleries are functioning in all largest Lithuanian towns and district centers. Lithuania has over 50 private art galleries, along with the galleries founded by different artists’ unions (such as the Lithuanian Artists’ Union and Lithuanian Photography Artists’ Union). In 1996 the Association of Lithuanian Art Gallery Owners was founded.

The key institution representing contemporary arts in Lithuania is the Contemporary Art Center (CAC) in Vilnius founded by the Ministry of Culture. The CAC presents different styles and art forms of Lithuanian including foreign art in its exhibitions and also arranges exhibitions of young artists. Within the last decade the CAC has become one of the most outstanding exhibition institutions in the Baltic countries. The educational activities implemented by the Center are aimed at ensuring the access of information on contemporary art to all culture consumers in Lithuania. In 1999 the Center introduced the library of publications on contemporary art and mini-internet center Infolabas to its visitors.

The State-provided financial support to contemporary art and photography is administered in several stages. The State allocates funds for presentation of artworks of various kinds of art and photography to the public. Since 1999 this type of support has been granted to events of different art galleries and centers by the Lithuanian Culture and Sports Foundation. Art and photography projects, retrospective exhibitions by artists, thematic exhibitions, actions, festivals, theoretical conferences and round-table discussions on art and photography issues are subject for such funding. From 1997 on a part of the State budget annually channels financial support to the creative programs developed by different artists’ organizations. The Media Support Foundation contributes to implementation of various publishing programs by the Lithuanian Artists’ Union and Lithuanian Photography Artists Union (such series as the Contemporary Lithuanian Artists, or periodicals Arts and Lithuanian Photography could be mentioned on this occasion). The Ministry of Culture on the annual basis provides the State grants to culture and art personalities, about 8 percent of which go to artists and art critics, and about 3 percent - to photographers. Such grants are aimed at ensuring proper conditions for artists and photographers to create new works, present such works to different exhibitions in Lithuania and abroad, perform research on art works and improve professional skills.

The function of collection of art and photography works and their presentation to the public at large is performed by the Lithuanian Museum of Visual Arts, Lithuanian National Museum, and National Art Museum by Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis. The Ministry of Culture allocates some funds for acquisition of contemporary art and photography works. In 2002 the Government of the Republic of Lithuania approved the concept of the Lithuanian National Gallery, designed to provide possibilities for permanent exposition, representing the development of visual arts in the 20th century Lithuania (28, Ukmerges St., Vilnius) is foreseen.

The updated version (approved in 2003) of the Law on Movable Cultural Property of the Republic of Lithuania (2002) and the procedure for application of the Obligation by the Lithuanian Republic Government Regarding Movable Cultural Properties of Foreign Countries Taken Temporarily to the Republic of Lithuania ensures a proper legal basis for purchasing of foreign high quality art and photography collections, exhibitions and particular artifacts of exclusive artistic value to the Republic of Lithuania; as well as autonomous and consistent exhibition policy making for Lithuanian national and state museums.

In compliance with international cultural cooperation treaties, Lithuanian visual arts and photography have been continuously promoted in foreign countries. Since 1999 on Lithuania participates at the International Biennial in Venice, held every two years. The works by young Lithuanian artists, such as Eglė Rakauskaitė, Mindaugas Navakas, Deimantas Narkevičius, Svajone and Paulius Stanikas and others were presented in the recent Biennial.