The gallery was opened in 1979 (architects Liucija Gedgaudien臈, Jonas Navakas). Its original purpose was to serve as a gallery for M. 沤ilinskas Collection, which had been donated to Kaunas. However, soon it became obvious that the entire collection could not fit into this building, therefore the plans for a new building were undertaken. Today, Lithuanian and international art is displayed in this gallery, as well as the community platform 鈥淏ackup stories鈥 exhibitions.