Sao Paulo Art Galleries

(Sao Paulo, Brazil)

The local Paulistanos are known for their love of the arts and hold their assortment of galleries and arts museums close to their hearts. The Sao Paulo Museum of Art is one of the city's leading art galleries and of interest to those with an interest in contemporary pieces, being known locally as the Museu de Arte.

The Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil is a favourite museum in Sao Paulo, while the CBEAL centre is one of the best galleries. Also of note are both the Estacao Júlio Prestes Gallery and the Fundacao Maria Luisa e Oscar Americano, each of which contains an extensive exhibition of paintings.

Museu de Arte (Museum of Art)

Address: Avenida Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil, BR
The centrally located Museu de Art de Sao Paulo (MASP) is sited along the Paulista Avenue and famed for the striking building that houses a huge collection of old and modern art. The works, gathered steadily since the end of WWI, are considered to be the most important collection in the whole of Latin America. Operated on a non-profit basis, the Museum of Art first opened its doors in 1947, although the present purpose-built building was inaugurated in 1968, and is home to paintings by acclaimed international artists such as Botticelli, Constable, Dali, Monet, Picasso, Raphael, Rembrandt, Renoir, Rubens, Turner and Warhol, amongst many others.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Centro Brasileiro de Estudos Latino Americano - CBEAL (Brazilian Center for Latin American Studies)

Address: Avenida Auro Soares de Moura Andrade 664, Barra Funda, Sao Paulo, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 011 382 346 00
Staging free concerts and ever changing handicraft exhibits, the CBEAL is one of the best galleries in Sao Paulo and always sees high visitor numbers. Much of the work displayed within the Centro Brasileiro de Estudos Latino Americano comes from regional Brazil and neighbouring countries, and so is of special interest to those fascinated by local handicrafts.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 18:00
Admission: free

Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil

Address: Rua Alvares Penteado 112, Triângulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 011 311 336 51
Sited in the stunning Beaux Arts building, this cultural centre is one of the city's favourite venues for modern and contemporary art. Exhibitions here tend to be innovative and the gallery also shows films and theatre performances. The six-storey building itself dates back to 1880, being transformed 100 years later, when it became this present-day cultural centre.
Open hours: Tuesday to Monday - 10:00 to 21:00
Admission: free

Estacao Júlio Prestes Gallery

Address: Estacao Júlio Prestes, Luz, Sao Paulo, Brazil, BR
The Estacao Júlio Prestes Gallery hosts numerous temporary exhibitions throughout the year, many of which contain the excellent works of local artists. Housed within a Beaux Arts building that was finished in the 1930s, the centre is well situated in the heart of the city and worth a look. The main hall is enormous and famed for its acoustics, and is regularly used to host classical music concerts.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Fundacao Maria Luisa e Oscar Americano

Address: Avenida Morumbi 4077, Morumbi, Sao Paulo, Brazil, BR
Tel: +55 011 374 200 77
Situated in the fashionable suburb of Morumbi, this house once belonged to the couple who were responsible for the area's development. The Fundacao Maria Luisa e Oscar Americano boasts an extensive collection of paintings, furnishings and sculptures from modern times, and you can get high tea in the chic café.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free