MOCAK is a response to the global trends of introducing contemporary art into industrial space. The Krakow district of Zabłocie and the halls of Oskar Schindler's factory have become an ideal place for this. The main building itself is impressive, designed by the Italian architect Claudio Nardi, in the neo-modernist style. It blended in with the buildings surrounding it, preserving the cultural character of the place. The distinctive roof of factory has become the leading visual element of the building.

The mission of the Museum is to show various audiences the value of contemporary art, explain its sense by emphasising its ethical and cognitive values and point out its connections with everyday life. MOCAK is consistently expanding its collection, currently having over 5,000 works by several hundreds Polish and world artists. Expanding the collection is aimed at presenting Polish art of the second half of the 20th century against the backdrop of world art.