Platform produces exhibitions, conferences and workshops; maintains an archive & library; and administers a residency program. Located in the most vibrant area of Istanbul, the institution acts as a dynamic catalyst for the dissemination, research and practice of contemporary art in the city. It also provides a meeting point for exchange between contemporary artists, curators and critics.

Since the centre's inauguration in late 2001 over 680,000 people have visited the exhibitions. Platform have organised 49 exhibitions, over 130 lectures, four major international conferences, and co-published three internationally distributed
publications.

The research archive has in depth materials on artists, files on historical exhibitions, institutions, and curators from Turkey. With over 16,000 books, and periodicals it has become the most comprehensive contemporary art library in the city.

Platform operates a residency program that is supported by national and regional residency funders an a number of grant making bodies since 2003. Platform has been sending artists from Turkey to South East Europe, the South East Mediterranean, West Europe and Asia.

In December 2003, Platform was selected as one of the ten most interesting not-for-profit institutions to participate in Institution2, curated by Jens Hoffmann for KIASMA, Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki, and in 2004 Platform was
awarded the 50th Year Grant by the European Cultural Foundation for its contribution to local and regional culture. In 2004 and 2005 Platform acted as the key base for the development of the 9th International Istanbul Biennial and hosted six artists on its residency programme who went on to participate in the Biennial exhibition. In October 2006 Platform participated as one of two invited not-for-profit organizations with 'collecting point' in Frieze Projects at the Frieze Art Fair. Platform was one of the 15 international partners for the Seventh International Biennial exhibition of SITE Santa Fe, NM in 2008.

At the end of 2007, Platform Garanti paused its exhibition program to undergo a major structural and organizational transformation into an interdisciplinary institution developed in partnership with Garanti Galeri. Still awaiting the renovation’s completion, Platform’s offices, residency, and archive have continued to function in a temporary location. With this in mind, Platform has organized exhibitions at the Westfälischer Kunstverein, Münster; Insa Art Space, Seoul; Artists Space, New York and maison Folie de Wazemmes, Lille.