Casa del Lago Juan José Arreola
Mexico City Learn more about what's on at Casa del Lago Juan José Arreola and the artists shaping its programme.Casa del Lago Juan José Arreola is a leading cultural centre of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), located in the heart of Mexico City‘s Chapultepec Forest. Founded in 1959 as UNAM’s first off-campus venue, it has become a landmark institution for avant-garde art, experimental performance, and interdisciplinary cultural expression in Mexico and Latin America.
Casa del Lago occupies a French-style mansion originally constructed in 1906 as the headquarters of Mexico’s first Automobile Club, inaugurated in 1908. The building served various institutional functions—including the Biological Studies Department of the Ministry of Agriculture—until it was transformed into a cultural centre in 1959. Named after its founding director, writer Juan José Arreola, Casa del Lago opened its doors on 10 May 1959, with the official inauguration held on 15 September that year.
From its inception, Casa del Lago embraced an experimental and avant-garde spirit. Arreola assembled a generation of Mexico’s leading cultural figures—writers, visual artists, performers, and musicians including Octavio Paz, Juan Soriano, Leonora Carrington, and José Luis Ibáñez—who used the space to break with established artistic conventions and nurture emerging creative voices. This vision of Casa del Lago as a nexus between tradition and vanguard remains central to its identity. The institution actively promotes experimental work across visual arts, theatre, dance, literature, music, and film, positioning itself as an alternative space where young creators and diverse audiences converge.
Situated in the forested Bosque de Chapultepec—a historic Sunday gathering place for Mexico City residents—Casa del Lago commands an extraordinary view toward Chapultepec Castle and offers a natural setting that distinguishes it from conventional gallery environments.
Casa del Lago is sometimes referred to as ‘House of the Lake’.
Casa del Lago Art and Exhibitions
Casa del Lago’s programming spans interdisciplinary artistic practices. Its permanent and rotating exhibitions showcase visual art, installation work, and experimental multimedia projects alongside performing arts, cinema, literature, and music. The institution maintains strengths in supporting emerging Mexican artists and fostering dialogues between local and international contemporary practice.
The centre’s curatorial approach emphasises critical experimentation and cross-disciplinary exchange. Exhibitions often link regional artistic histories to global contemporary concerns, while public programmes—including artist residencies, seminars, workshops, and open calls—position Casa del Lago as a research-oriented and educational hub. Contemporary programming increasingly emphasises digital culture and innovative formats alongside traditional art forms.
Visiting Information
Casa del Lago is located at Bosque de Chapultepec Primera Sección, San Miguel Chapultepec, Mexico City, near the Auditorio metro station (approximately 9 minutes’ walk). The centre is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00[5]. Admission is free. For current exhibitions, public programmes, and workshop schedules, consult the official Casa del Lago UNAM website (casadellago.unam.mx). The site is wheelchair accessible and offers a café, bookshop, and performance spaces alongside gallery areas.
Casa del Lago Juan José Arreola FAQs
What makes Casa del Lago a key contemporary art institution in Mexico City?
Casa del Lago stands out as Mexico City’s foremost experimental arts venue for its unique historical role as the first UNAM off-campus cultural centre and its unbroken commitment to avant-garde practice since 1959. Its mission—to cultivate dialogue between artistic vanguard and popular audiences while nurturing emerging creators—shapes Mexico City’s cultural landscape and positions it as a regional leader in Latin American contemporary art.
What kind of art and exhibitions are at Casa del Lago?
Expect interdisciplinary programming spanning visual art, installation, performance, theatre, dance, cinema, literature, and music. Exhibitions range from historical surveys connecting Mexican modernism to global contemporary practice, to cutting-edge commissions featuring emerging artists. Casa del Lago emphasises experimental and critical work that challenges conventional artistic boundaries.
How do I get tickets to Casa del Lago?
Admission to Casa del Lago exhibitions and gallery spaces is free. However, some performances, workshops, and special programmes may require separate ticketing or registration. Check the website for details on specific events and advance booking requirements.
Does Casa del Lago offer tours or public programmes?
Yes. Casa del Lago hosts curator talks, symposia, artist residencies, workshops, courses, guided tours, and educational seminars aligned with exhibitions. It also programmes live performance, cinema screenings, and poetry readings. Visit casadellago.unam.mx for current public programming schedules.
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