Croatian Association of Visual Artists (HDLU) is nongovernmental, non-for-profit and politically neutral union of professionals. Its membership consists exclusively of visual artists of all generations, working in all forms of expression and disciplines. The association was established in 1868 and since then it was active continuously, though under the different names. The basic goals of the Association are to support and encourage contemporary visual expression, to improve and protect the freedom of visual expression, to organise exhibitions, to collaborate in preparations of the laws and rules regulating visual arts production and social rights of the artists.

HDLU annually organizes or collaborates in organization of approximately 30 exhibitions in four diversely profiled galleries. Exhibition program covers all segments of art presentation and production, ranging from big national and international manifestations to the projects concerning new media pursuing experimentation.
The exhibitions are followed by lecturing programs, workshops and presentations. Exhibition spaces are open and often used for the presentation of the variety of artistic expressions ranging from dance to the music and theatre.