Each year since 1977, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) has organized International Museum Day (IMD). Organized on the 18th of May each year or around this date, events and activities are planned to celebrate IMD. It can last a day, a weekend or even an entire week. But, why wait for Museum Day if you can visit these local museums all-year-round?
So, aside from visiting our well-known Philippine National Museum (of Fine Arts, Anthropology, and Natural History), we give you a list of local museums that you can also visit, perfect for your art adventures!
BenCab Museum
Located at Tuba, Benguet, BenCab is a personal museum which houses the collection of Philippine National Artist for Visual Arts, Ben 'BenCab' Cabrera. What’s also fascinating about this museum, aside from BenCab’s collection of Philippine contemporary art and ethnography, is its location. BenCab Museum is set in the center of an organic farm with natural water features which highlights the indigenous architecture of the Ifugao, Kalinga, and Bontoc.
Schedule: Tuesday – Saturday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Pinto Art Museum
Heading to the Timog Katagalugan, one of the most Instragramble modern museums you can find there is the Pinto Art Museum. Located at Antipolo City, Pinto Art Museum as what they call it, is the “Philippines’ door to contemporary and emerging local art.” Aside from exhibiting modern art masterpieces, Pinto Art Museum also offers food and beverages at the Café Rizal by Peppermill.
Schedule: Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Ayala Museum
If you’re looking for a place to hang out and appreciate contemporary arts in the Metro, then, you should visit Ayala Museum. After closing for renovations in 2019, the new Ayala Museum is back to present more contemporary arts and historical pieces. Located in Makati, Ayala Museum also exhibits rare books, photographs, and recordings courtesy of Filipinas Heritage Library.
Schedule: Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Art in Island
If you’re into interactive and 3D art, Art in Island is the perfect place to go. Art in Island is a 3D art museum gallery located at Quezon City. Art in Island is known for their way of bending the conventional rules of visiting art galleries. As they encourage the people to a “BE PART OF ART,” Art in Island allows visitors to interact and have fun with their art pieces, through taking pictures and videos.
Schedule: Tuesday – Sunday, 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
UP Vargas Museum
Another museum from Quezon City is the UP Vargas Museum. UP Vargas Museum is a modern and contemporary art museum located at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Aside from exhibiting contemporary art pieces, UP Vargas Museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, lectures, book launches, and other creative activities. As the multi-level architecture of the museum was designed to maintain the museum’s various functions.
Schedule: Tuesday – Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Let yourself experience our country’s art, culture, and history, whether it’s International Museum Day or not, visiting these museums is always worth it.
━━ Art By Metroscene Mag
