Rwanda Art Museum

The reandian museum is located at Kanombe, about 4 kilometers from Kigali international airport. Previously, the museum served as the Presidential Palace during the 1970s until late 2000. The museum stands out as the only museum for contemporary art currently but it wasn't the first museum to do so. From 2008 till year 2018, the institute of National Museums of Rwanda served as an art museum in a building that was supposed to serve as a new royal palace for King Mutara III. The building was built in the 1950s in Rwesero- Nyanza. Entering the museum, you will be greeted by art works that were initially exhibited in the National Museums of Rwanda in Rwesero. As per officials from the INMR, the whole idea of transforming the building into an art museum was suggested by visitors. Additionally, other suggestions to turn the building into an art museum came from local visual artists. 
    
      The Museum was launched on a Friday and the entrance was free given the fact that it was with the other museum in the country. The event of launching the museum started with a media briefing done by officials from The Institute of National Museums of Rwanda and Rwanda Art Council. Later that day, guests were taken on guided tours through the whole museum. Officials said that the aim behind Rwanda Art Museum is the museum to serve as a meeting place for various forms of arts, where visitors have the opportunity to  really enhance their experience and get a taste of the local art created by the hands of local Rwanda,, moreover it serves as a great place for reflection and exchanging conversation with the locals. artists artists and international artists, it’s not only to show their great work but also to sell it. The museum also has a kids’ studio, a place where children can sit and use different materials such as paints to express their different views and talents.

       The Museum displays contemporary art along with some of the ancient works as well.  The museum contains around 127 artworks that are done by 51 different artists. All the artworks are displayed on the museum walls. The pieces there vary from Sculpture, paintings, mixed media to ceramics.
 

The Rwanda Art Museum is not the only museum in Rwanda. You can combine with your visit to other museums such as the King's palace which is a rebuilding to the traditional royal palace which is amazingly- crafted to take the shape of a beehive. Additionally, ypu can have a visit to the Ethnographic Museum which is a gift from Belguim's king in the late 1980s. The museum contains one of the best Africa's ethnographic museums. Near lake Kivu, there is a small museum that serves as an educational center to raise awareness on how to save the environment called “The Museum of the Environment". Last but not least, you can add to your tour Kandt House Museum named after Richard Kandt, the first German colonial governor of Rwanda. His old house was turned into a museum that displays Rwandan life with all the aspects related to it, the Rwandan People and their colonial experience and the history of Kigali as well. Moreover, there is Kigali Genocide Memorial that is based on the 10th anniversary of Rwandan genocide where 250,000 victims have been buried.  
 

- The Museum is open daily, except on the 7th of April. 
- The Museum is usually closed from 11 am till 6pm on Umuganda days (the last Saturday of the month)
- The place is also suitable for young visitors as there is ‘ The Art Kids’ Studio in which kids get the opportunity to put their art skills into action and produce their own artworks. 
- Visitors are allowed in all rooms.