Rwanda Art Museum | Modern Art & History in Kigali

The Rwanda Art Museum gives a fresh look into Rwanda’s identity by showing modern artwork that brings joy and curiosity to art lovers. Art is life, and that’s why the museum also includes a wide display of international pieces. On some days, temporary traveling exhibitions are held alongside the permanent collection to keep the museum active and enjoyable.

The museum is located in Kanombe, about four kilometers from Kigali International Airport. It is not the first art museum in Rwanda, as many art centers have been created between 2006 and 2018. Because of the high interest from both foreign visitors and local visual artists, the Institute of National Museums decided to turn the building into an art museum. Today, it holds 127 artworks by 51 artists. These include sculptures, paintings, mixed media, and ceramics. The museum was once known as the Presidential Palace Museum, where former President Juvenal Habyarimana lived. It was first founded in 2009.

This unique museum is one of the eight main museums under the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda. It welcomes all kinds of visitors, including young and upcoming artists, giving them a space to learn and grow their skills. In the garden, you can still see the remains of the presidential jet that crashed on April 6, 1994, an event that triggered the genocide. The plane has not been moved or touched. That tragic event led to the deaths of about 800,000 to 1 million people. In 2009, the building was opened to the public as the Presidential Palace Museum, and on May 18, 2018, it was officially opened as the Rwanda Art Museum.

If you have time during your visit, pass through Kigali town, which is lively and full of energy both day and night. You can also visit the Ethnographic Museum, which functions as both an art gallery and a museum. The entry fee is 6,000 francs for non-residents and 5,000 francs for residents.

Finally, enjoy true cultural experiences in the rural villages, where you will be welcomed with traditional Kinyarwanda dance, drumming, and songs that share Rwanda’s history.

Make a change in your view by visiting the Rwanda Art Museum.