After the handover of Taiwan from Japan to the Republic of China, in 1945[1] it hosted the Taipei City Government and became an important landmark, thanks to its highly recognizable symmetrical building and belltower in historic style.

After the city government moved to a new location in the Xinyi District in 1993, it was designated as a historical building and underwent renovations along with Jian Cheng Junior High School [zh].

While showcasing mainly contemporary Taiwanese art, under director Shih Jui-jen its activities have become increasingly international.

In 2009, it organized a solo show of Taiwanese artist Yang Maolin as a pavilion at the Venice Biennale.

In 2023 director Loh Li-chen secured the first stop of the international touring exhibition of Banksy's Love is in the Bin (authorized by Pest Office) reputed as one of the most iconic contemporary artworks of the 21st century, on view at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA), Taipei, from July 1 to August 13, 2023, before going into the world.