Every November 9th, art museums worldwide celebrate Go to an Art Museum Day. This unofficial holiday encourages people to immerse themselves in art and discover the beauty around them.

Whether you’re an artist, an art enthusiast, or simply looking for a new experience, here are five art museums full of wonder and creativity for you to explore:

1. National Museum of Fine Arts

The National Museum of Fine Arts boasts 29 galleries filled with masterpieces from Filipino artists, including National Artists, modern painters, and sculptors. The centerpiece is Juan Luna’s Spoliarium, a must-see, but the museum also houses works by Felix Resurrección Hidalgo and a gallery dedicated to Philippine Modernism.
Location: Manila

2. Pintô Art Museum

Located in Antipolo, the Pintô Art Museum is your gateway to contemporary Philippine art. Founded in 2010, this open-air museum features an eclectic mix of primitive, indigenous, and contemporary art. It’s a perfect place for Instagram-worthy shots, but beyond the aesthetic appeal, it supports the local art scene.
Location: Antipolo

3. Ayala Museum

Ayala Museum celebrates Philippine culture, history, and art. Its collection includes works by Filipino Masters like Juan Luna, Fernando Zobel, and Arturo Luz. Notably, in 2023, it displayed Luna’s long-lost painting Hymen, oh Hyménée!—a discovery that captivated the nation.
Location: Makati

4. Finale Art File

Finale Art File has been a staple of the Philippine contemporary art scene since the 1980s. It showcases a wide range of works, from paintings to sculptures, by both seasoned and emerging artists. Its dedication to local talent has made it one of the premier galleries in the country.
Location: Makati

5. Vinyl on Vinyl

Vinyl on Vinyl is an art gallery devoted to celebrating artists who focus on emerging and unexplored genres such as underground art, pop surrealism, after-modernism, kinetic art, and more. The exhibits are a bit more experimental and unconventional, sometimes incorporating mixed media and “sound art” or live music alongside the art displayed. If you’re looking for art that is more post-modern, more urban, and more forward-thinking, this is the place to be.
Location: Makati

Art museums provide not only a space to appreciate creativity but also preserve cultural history. You don’t need a special day to visit one, but Go to an Art Museum Day is the perfect excuse to embrace the world of art.