San Juan Art Galleries

(San Juan, Puerto Rico)

As part of island culture, art forms including painting, sculpture and carving have their place in the city's galleries, with contemporary art being a popular trend. Some of the most accomplished Puerto Rican artists are regularly displayed at local galleries and include the likes of Francisco Oller, Jose Campeche, Nick Quijano and Rafael Ferrer, amongst others.

Particularly impressive is the Museum of Puerto Rican Contemporary Art (Museo de Arte Contemporaneo), along with the Museum of Puerto Rican Art (Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico). Worth noting, the first Tuesday each month between February and May sees galleries around San Juan staying open until late, offering plenty to see, and often drinks and nibbles as well.

Museum of Puerto Rican Contemporary Art (Museo de Arte Contemporaneo)

Address: Corner of Avenida Juan Ponce de Leon and Calle Roberto H. Todd, San Juan, Puerto Rico, PR
Tel: +1 787 977 4030
The appreciation of contemporary art is booming across the whole of Latin America, with work by many of the region's artists finding its way into well-known private and commercial collections. The Sacred Heart University campus is home to the interesting Museo de Arte Contemporaneo, which occupies the Rafael M. Labra school building and shows a fine collection of contemporary art works, created by modern artists from not only Puerto Rico, but throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

Museum of Puerto Rican Art (Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico)

Address: 299 Se Siego Avenue, Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico, PR
Tel: +1 787 977 6277
The stunning Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico is a relatively new addition to the art scene of San Juan, being founded in 2000 and located within the Santurce district. With just under 20 different exhibition halls, the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico rapidly became a premier Caribbean art and culture facility, as well as a showcase for Latin American art. The impressive collection displays art works from the 17th-century to modern times, with a focus on Puerto Rican artists. The building itself is particularly attractive, with its neo-classical facade, and once functioned as a municipal hospital, while outside is a vast landscaped garden covering some 5 acres / 2 hectares and featuring a series of fine sculptures. Also here is a large theatre, a gift shop and the highly regarded Pikayo restaurant.
Open hours: Monday - 10:00 to 20:00, Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Museum of Art, History and Anthropology (Museo de Antropologia, Historia y Arte)

Address: Avenida Universidad, San Juan, Puerto Rico, PR
Tel: +1 787 764 0000
The entire collection of the Museum of Art, History and Anthropology covers everything from pre-Colombian artefacts to the work of present-day major artists. In fact, the collection is so vast that only 20 percent is on show at any one time. Expect to find many paintings and sculptures, as well as artefacts from the Taino Indians and changing exhibitions. The museum is to be found on the westerly side of the Universidad de Puerto Rico campus, alongside the Lazaro Library and close to the stadium.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge

Academy of Fine Arts (Escuela de Artes Plasticas)

Address: Calle Norzagaray, San Juan, Puerto Rico, PR
Tel: +1 787 729 0007
Close to the Cuartel de Ballaja, the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena and the Parque de Beneficencia, the Escuela de Artes Plasticas began its life in the 19th century as an asylum for people suffering from mental health issues. The building itself is surprisingly grand and its art students exhibit their work on a regular basis, at the end of each term.
Open hours: hours vary according to exhibition
Admission: free

La Princesa Art Gallery

Address: Calle Presidio, San Juan, Puerto Rico, PR
Tel: +1 787 721 2400
The La Princesa Art Gallery shares a former prison with an outlet of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) and lies next to the city walls. Exhibitions are frequently rotated and showcase pieces by some of the island's up-and-coming artists. Outside, a prominent bronze statue depicting the city's much-loved mayoress Felisa Rincon de Gautier (Dona Fela) adds further interest.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 16:00
Admission: free