The Hermitage–Siberia centre is the third representation of the State Hermitage museum in Russia and the first beyond the Urals. Without travelling far from home, the citizens of Omsk, inhabitants of the wider Siberian Federal District and of the neighbouring Republic of Kazakhstan are able to acquaint themselves with unique world cultural heritage and masterpieces of art.
On 5 December 2013, an agreement was signed in Saint Petersburg between the State Hermitage and Omsk region on the creation in the city of Omsk of a Hermitage–Siberia centre on the basis of the Vrubel Museum of Fine Arts. To accommodate such a significant project, the choice was made in favour of a historical building that before the revolution had belonged to the Salamandra insurance company. It was reconstructed in stages from 2015.
The opening of the Hermitage–Siberia centre took place in 2019, The architecture and layout of the revamped building made it possible to create a multifunctional museum complex that meets all the requirements of museum work and is equipped with modern display, climate-control and restoration facilities.
The Hermitage–Siberia centre regularly receives exhibitions from the State Hermitage and prepares a programme for the annual Hermitage Days that include meetings with specialists, master classes, lectures and much more. The centre also contains the auditorium of the Theatre of Painting and has a functioning Youth Centre with an extensive educational and cultural programme.
