In recent years, a structure of visual arts and photography galleries and centers has been formed in Lithuania. The structure includes galleries founded and maintained by the State and municipalities, non-governmental organizations (including creative artists' unions and public institutions), higher education institutions as well as private persons. Such galleries function in all largest Lithuanian towns and district centers. Lithuania has over 50 private art galleries and galleries founded by different artists' unions (such as the Lithuanian Artists' Union and the Lithuanian Photography Artists' Union). In 1996, the Association of Lithuanian Art Gallery Owners was founded.

The key institution representing contemporary art 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 as well as 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 performed by the Center are aimed at ensuring access to information on contemporary art for 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 covers several stages. The State allocates funds for different art and photography work presentations to the public. Since 1999, the Lithuanian Culture and Sports Foundation has granted this type of support to events held in different art galleries and centers. Art and photography projects, retrospective exhibitions by artists, topical exhibitions, festivals, theoretical conferences and round-table discussions of art and photography issues are eligible to receive such funding. From 1997 on a part of the State budget has gone to support creative programmes prepared by different artists; organizations on an annual basis. The Media Support Foundation provides support to the implementation of various publishing programs by the Lithuanian Artists' Union and the Lithuanian Photography Artists Union (such series as the Contemporary Lithuanian Artists, periodicals Arts and Lithuanian Photography could be mentioned on this occasion). Annually, the Ministry of Culture provides the State grants to culture and art figures, about 8 percent of which goes 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 Lithuanian Museum of Visual Arts, the Lithuanian National Museum and the National Art Museum by M.K. Ciurlionis perform the function of collection of art and photography works and their presentation to the public at large. The Ministry of Culture allocates some funds for the acquisition of contemporary art and photography works. In 2002, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania approved the concept of the Lithuanian National Gallery, which provides for the establishment of a permanent exposition representing the development of visual arts in the 20th century Lithuania (28, Ukmerges St., Vilnius).