The Rector’s Palace was opened on May 17, 2011. During the first year of its opening, it hosted several exhibitions, concerts, various book and film projections, performances and the manifestation More (The Sea) was opened. During its almost four years of work, the Rector’s Palace as an exhibition space of the National Museum Zadar, was the host to 89 exhibitions in the organization of the National Museum Zadar and the Museum's associates. During the four years, the general public had the opportunity to see the exhibitions of some of the greatest domestic and foreign artists such as: Igor Rončević, Edo Murtić, Dimitrije Popović, Hrvoje Šercar, Teatro dell'opera Roma with the exhibition Hommage Giuseppe Verdi-due to the 200 year anniversary of birth and numerous others. 

Also, the Rector’s Palace has been the host to the annual exhibitions of The Croatian Association of Artists, Croatian journalistic photography, exhibitions that represent the best works from numerous photography competitions, paintings and other forms of art. Regular guests of the Rector’s Palace have always been renowned architects from the City of Zadar and other Croatian cities, but also students of Architecture from the University of Split and Zagreb. Several charity exhibitions are organized in the Rector’s Palace in order to collect financial aid for the needy with the sales of exhibits. 

The Rector’s Palace has also been completed with the collection „Pomorsko nasljeđe“ ("Maritime Heritage") which has temporarily been placed in this space as a permanent exhibition display. Visitors have had the opportunity to participate in several workshops held in the space of the Rector’s Palace, such as "Valentine's Day at Rector's", summer workshop "Artist for a day", workshops with the exhibition of Igor Rončević, workshops about the basics of photography "The Ways of Photography" and many others. The space of the Rector’s Palace has also been recognized as an ideal place for book promotions, press conferences, acapella music performances and other performers who were present at numerous openings and events. The Rector’s Palace has also been visited by several embassies, which participated in the organization of exhibits in cooperation with the National Museum Zadar. 

The cooperation between the Museum with educational institutions has resulted in the works of students and kindergarten children, important dates in Croatian history for the City of Zadar and the Zadar County such as the anniversary of Operation Maslenica, Operation Oluja, Day of the Defence of the City of Zadar, Day of the City of Zadar and Days of Zadar County which have been commemorated. The first folklore festival of Zadar County, which is now held annually and has become a traditional manifestation, is also organized. 

Every year, the Rector’s Palace has over 15, 000 visitors, foreign and domestic, who have recognized the importance of this space as a cultural, historical and tourist part of what the City of Zadar and Zadar County have to offer.