Malaysia Gallery: Best Art Galleries in Malaysia – Complete Guide for Art Lovers: Explore a blend of contemporary, cultural, folk, and interactive art spaces across Malaysia.
Malaysia is home to a vibrant art scene—from contemporary collections in Kuala Lumpur to heritage showcases in Melaka and Penang. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, history buff, or cultural traveler, these galleries offer a window into Malaysia’s soul.
Gallery in Malaysia
Gallery
Key Details
National Art Gallery (KL)
2,500+ artworks, contemporary & national identity
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (KL)
Largest Islamic art museum in SE Asia, 12 galleries
Ilham Gallery (KL)
Free entry, emerging Malaysian artists, Ilham After Dark
Wei-Ling Gallery (KL)
Contemporary exhibitions, collectors’ choice
Bank Negara Malaysia Museum & Art Gallery
Economics + art, Nautilus staircase, RM1M tunnel
The Back Room KL
Indie, experimental art in Zhongshan Building
Temu House (KL)
Art + poetry + community, pet-friendly
Melaka Folks Art Gallery
Folk art, local Malacca artists, workshops
Malacca Art Gallery
150 paintings, 30 sculptures, Youth Museum
Penang State Museum & Art Gallery
Heritage + art in George Town
🖼️ National Art Gallery (Balai Seni Negara), Kuala Lumpur
The National Art Gallery is Malaysia’s leading art institution with over 2,500 works. The spiral ramp architecture itself is a masterpiece.
Category: National / Contemporary
Best For: Art lovers who want to explore Malaysian identity through paintings, sculptures, and installations.
How to Reach: MRT Hospital KL or RapidKL bus 402.
Must Watch: Contemporary Malaysian art, photography, textiles, musical instruments.
🕌 Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM), Kuala Lumpur
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia. Explore more than a millennium of art, design and culture of the Islamic world. The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia is Southeast Asia’s largest Islamic art museum. Spread across 12 galleries, it houses rare manuscripts, jewelry, textiles, and architectural models.
Founded: 12 December 1998
Explore more than a millennium of art, design and culture of the Islamic world.
Category: Islamic Art & Heritage
Best For: Cultural explorers and history enthusiasts.
How to Reach: Located near Perdana Botanical Gardens, easily accessible via KL transit.
Must Watch: Qur’an manuscripts, Islamic calligraphy, jewelry, textiles, woodwork.
Admissions and Tickets
Ticket price for Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) in Kuala Lumpur starts from RM10 (students and Senior Citizens) and Children under 6 are free, purchase your entry tickets at our Customer Service counter upon arriving at the Lobby. The admission fees are as below:
Category
Price
Adults
RM20
Students
RM10
Senior Citizens (Malaysian)
RM10
Senior Citizens (Non-Malaysian)
RM20
Children under 6
Free
Address: Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Jalan Lembah, Tasik Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Website: https://iamm.org.my/
Opening Hourse: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM | Last entry 5:30 PM Restaurant: MOZA Restaurant
🎭 Ilham Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Housed in Ilham Tower, this contemporary art hub is loved for its free entry and youth-centric programming.
Must Watch: Ilham After Dark events, photography exhibitions, emerging Malaysian artists.
🎨 Wei-Ling Gallery, Brickfields, KL
Since 2002, Wei-Ling Gallery has been showcasing leading Malaysian and regional contemporary artists.
Category: Commercial / Contemporary
Best For: Collectors and art enthusiasts.
How to Reach: Brickfields, walkable from KL Sentral.
Must Watch: Bold contemporary exhibitions and established artist retrospectives.
💰 Bank Negara Malaysia Museum & Art Gallery, KL
A mix of economics and art, this gallery is located in the Central Bank complex. Its Nautilus-inspired staircase and RM1 million money tunnel are photo-worthy.
Category: Museum + Art
Best For: Families, students, and Instagrammers.
How to Reach: Central KL, well connected by LRT and buses.
Must Watch: Regional artworks, financial history displays, unique architecture.
🎨 The Back Room KL – Malaysia Gallery
The Back Room KL: Intimacy. Openness. Emergence. The Back Room is a gallery based in Kuala Lumpur, exhibiting works by emerging and alternative artists. A small, alternative gallery located in Zhongshan Building, perfect for experimental exhibitions.
The Back Room is an independent, alternative space for intimate exhibitions that aims to connect art.
Category: Indie / Alternative
Best For: Niche art lovers and underground scene enthusiasts.
How to Reach: Central KL, accessible via public transport.
Must Watch: Small-scale installations, emerging artists.
The Back Room is an alternative space for intimate exhibitions within Kuala Lumpur. The gallery is more than just a space: it is an opportunity for new and ongoing collaborations between artists, creatives and curators.
Address: 80A, Jalan Rotan, Kampung Attap, 50460 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Phone: +60 16-660 2585
🏠 Temu House, KL
More than just a gallery, Temu House is a creative hub that combines art, poetry, music, and live events.
Category: Creative Community Hub
Best For: Culture lovers and creative communities.
How to Reach: Located in KL, accessible by Grab/taxi.
Must Watch: Poetry slams, art showcases, community collaborations.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of architecture practice Atelier Alan Teh Architect.
Beyond architecture, Alan Teh expanded into the arts with Atelier Art Space | Gallery and has curated over 30 exhibitions, including the Kedah Padi Art Festival.
And to commemorate this milestone, Alan Teh and his team has put up an exhibition that showcases 20 selected works since the establishment until recent years ranging from private residential homes, residential and commercial high rise, community place-making to industrial and educational projects.
Muzium Negara (National Museum)
The National Museum of Malaysia: A historic landmark opened in 1963, designed like a traditional Malay palace. The museum houses four main galleries allotted to ethnology and natural history (geology).
Muzium Negara is a beautiful building featuring traditional Malay architecture and stands majestically in the heart of Kuala Lumpur as a national treasure.
The National Museum (Malay: Muzium Negara) is a public museum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia dedicated to Malaysian art, culture, and history. The National Museum, a striking building characteristic of traditional Malay architecture stands proud in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
The National Museum offers a rich exploration of Malaysia’s history and culture through its four main galleries. Muzium Negara is a repository of Malaysia’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
Ticket Price: Visitors appreciate the affordability of the entry fee, which is RM2 for locals and RM5 for foreigners. The museum is well-maintained and provides a variety of artifacts, making it a worthwhile visit. Top Exhibits:
Malacca Stone, Kedah Inscription Stone, Terengganu Inscription Stone
A beautifully curated collection of Malaysian cultural artefacts dating back to the Neolithic age and earlier.
Experiences: Guided tours, film screenings, cultural workshops Entry Fee: RM2 (Malaysians), RM5 (Non-Malaysians) Getting There: MRT to Muzium Negara Station or walk from KL Sentral Address: Department of Museum, Jln Damansara, Perdana Botanical Gardens, 50566 Kuala Lumpur. Opened: 1963 Phone: +60 3-2267 1111
🎨 Melaka Folks Art Gallery
Dedicated to local Malacca artists, this gallery promotes folk art and provides workshop opportunities.
Category: Folk Art
Best For: Cultural travelers and families.
How to Reach: Located in central Malacca.
Must Watch: Over 80 paintings, folk art exhibitions, hands-on activities.
🎨 Malacca Art Gallery (Balai Seni Lukis Melaka)
Balai Seni Lukis Melaka (Malacca Art Gallery), a cultural gem nestled in the UNESCO World Heritage area of Melaka City. Malacca Art Gallery (Malay: Balai Seni Lukis Melaka) is an art gallery in Malacca City, Malacca, Malaysia which was established in 1958.
Located above the Youth Museum, this gallery houses over 150 paintings and 30 sculptures.
Category: Historical / Regional Art
Best For: History and art lovers.
How to Reach: In Malacca city center, walkable from Dutch Square.
Must Watch: Works by Malaysian masters, Chinese calligraphy, international artists.
Address: 430, Jalan Laksamana, Banda Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia
🎨 Penang State Museum & Art Gallery
In George Town, this gallery merges heritage and art, featuring Penang’s history alongside contemporary exhibitions.
Category: Regional Art
Best For: Heritage lovers and Penang travelers.
How to Reach: Central George Town, reachable by buses or walking tours.
Must Watch: Penang-based art, colonial-era pieces, rotating exhibitions.
Address: Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia Phone: +60 4-261 6466 Operating Days: Monday & Tuesday Operating Hours: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Malaysia Gallery Highlights & Visitor Tips
National Art Gallery (KL): A cornerstone of Malaysia’s art scene, offering extensive collections and architectural elegance.
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia: A cultural treasure trove—the largest of its kind in the region, ideal for art and history enthusiasts.
Ilham Gallery: Loved by locals and Redditors alike for its accessibility and dynamic programming. Known as “top tier free gallery”.
Wei-Ling & The Back Room KL: Dive into contemporary and indie art scenes in intimate gallery settings.
Bank Negara Museum & Art Gallery: A unique blend of finance-themed exhibits and art—thanks to its creative layout, it’s a favorite for photo ops.
Temu House: Merges art with community engagement—great for a relaxed, cultural vibe.
Melaka & Penang Galleries: Offer rich regional art and cultural narratives. Perfect for city-specific art explorations.
How to Plan Your Gallery Tour
Malaysia Gallery: Discover tips on how to plan your Malaysia art gallery tour—from choosing the right galleries by interest to checking events, routes, and must-see collections for a seamless cultural journey.
Determine your interests:
Do you seek historical art, contemporary expression, cultural engagement, or interactive experiences?
Choose your region:
Kuala Lumpur: Many art spaces are nearly adjacent—ideal for a curated day trip. Kuala Lumpur: Many art spaces are nearly adjacent—ideal for a curated day trip. Melaka & Penang: Perfect for combining cultural tourism with art—accessible via regional transport.
Check access times and events:
Some galleries (e.g., Ilham, Temu House) offer special exhibitions or live programs.
Mix and match types:
Blend national galleries with cutting-edge independent spaces for a rounded art experience.
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