Art in Porto Maravilha

Cutting‐edge museums, street art and studios of local artists feature in the cultural itinerary of the city’s up and coming port district.

By Bruna Velon

Museums, cultural centres and open‐air exhibitions can all be found in Porto Maravilha’s art circuit, which is today one of the most promising areas for culture, entertainment and business in Rio de Janeiro. The renovation of the city’s port district is a growing success, a process that is leaning on the area’s historic heritage but also laying the foundation for an optimistic future. Check out our run‐down of the best artistic and cultural attractions in Porto Maravilha.

Museu do Amanhã

Marina Herriges - Riotur

A recent addition to the skyline of the newly‐reopened Praça Mauá, a picture postcard square in the city’s port district, this super‐modern museum of arts and sciences is an intersection between the past, present and future. The museum’s ambitious but impressive structure combines 15,000m2 of floorspace and, along with the MAR, the two have become Rio’s very own Museumplein.

  • Site: http://www.museudoamanha.org.br
  • Address : Praça Mauá, 1, Centro
  • Phone : +55 (21) 3812-1812
  • Schedule: Sun 10:00 às 17:00, Tue 10:00 às 17:00, Wed 10:00 às 17:00, Thu 10:00 às 17:00, Fri 10:00 às 17:00, Sat 10:00 às 17:00

Museu de Arte do Rio (MAR)

A fusion between modern and old, technology and history, MAR puts on exhibitions with a focus on Rio de Janeiro with an entire floor dedicated to visual arts. The building’s roof with its wave‐like structure seems to float above the museum succinctly bringing together the historic 19th‐Century architecture of the original building with the modern building. The terrace is a must‐visit: there you will find an incredible view over the city. Entry is free every Tuesday.

  • Site: http://www.museudeartedorio.org.br/pt-br/contato
  • Address : Praça Mauá, 5, Centro
  • Phone : +55 (21) 3031-2741
  • Schedule: Sun 10:00 às 17:00, Tue 10:00 às 17:00, Wed 10:00 às 17:00, Thu 10:00 às 17:00, Fri 10:00 às 17:00, Sat 10:00 às 17:00

Urban Art Circuit

Rio’s biggest graffiti mural is a gargantuan 30 metres tall and 70 metres wide and can be found in Gamboa between Sacadura Cabral and Coelho e Castro. The striking multi‐coloured panel was created by visual artist Toz with the help of 8 graffiti artists. In the surrounding area there are even more giant murals on the walls of buildings and other graffiti collages in and around Pedra do Sal and the Galpão Ação da Cidadania a famous art space where the annual Art Rua festival is held.

Fábrica da Bhering

Soraya Albuquerque

This building which used to be a famous chocolate factory is today an art space, housing studios for over 50 artists from various schools of art, among them some of the very first to move into the up and coming port district. São Frequentemente is a group that promotes events, exhibitions and shows, and has put the Santo Cristo neighbourhood firmly on Rio’s cultural circuit.

  • Site: http://www.fabricabhering.com
  • Address : Rua Orestes, 28 , Santo Cristo
  • Phone : +55 (21) 2213-0014
  • Schedule: Mon 09:00 às 20:00, Tue 09:00 às 20:00, Wed 09:00 às 20:00, Thu 09:00 às 20:00, Fri 09:00 às 20:00, Sat 09:00 às 20:00

Projeto Mauá

Morro da Conceição has, over the years, been a great source of artistic inspiration, so much so that many artists live and have their ateliers there. With an aim to garner more attention for local talent, a collective was formed in 2002 to promote the area’s own cultural circuit. The group frequently put on free art workshops, exhibitions and the annual Porto Aberto para as Artes, an event showcasing painting, sculpture, engraving and other artistic disciplines. The programme can be found on the Projeto Mauá Facebook page.

  • Address : Morro da Conceição, , Saúde
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