Pretoria Art Museum

AVAILABLE: Guided Tours | Family Friendly | Wheel Chair Friendly | OPEN: Tuesday – Sunday | MORE INFO: Museum Website | Facebook Page | Instagram Page | Twitter Page
Introduction
If you’re an art enthusiast or simply looking for a cultural experience, the Pretoria Art Museum is a must-visit destination. Located in Arcadia, Pretoria, this art gallery occupies an entire city block and houses an impressive collection of contemporary and traditional South African art.
About the Museum
The Pretoria Art Museum was established in 1964 to house the Municipality’s growing art collection, which had been built up since the early 1930s. The collection initially consisted of 17th-century work of the “North Dutch school” and some South African works by artists such as Henk Pierneef, Pieter Wenning, Frans Oerder, Anton van Wouw, and Irma Stern. However, the museum’s focus has since shifted to contemporary South African art, and exhibitions are held regularly to showcase local urban, rural, and traditional art, as well as new media techniques.
Aside from the permanent collection, the museum also displays temporary exhibitions of up-and-coming artists, providing a platform for emerging talent to showcase their work. The museum also hosts the New Signatures competition, which has been held since the mid-1990s and aims to promote and support young artists.


Interesting Facts
- The museum’s collection received a significant boost in 1932 when Lady Michaelis bequeathed a large number of artworks to the city council after the death of her husband, Sir Max Michaelis.
- The Pretoria Art Museum occupies an entire city block bounded by Park, Wessels, Schoeman, and Johann Streets.
- After the death of sculptor Lucas Sithole in 1994, the Haenggi Foundation donated half of his unfinished work to the museum after it was documented by art historian Elza Miles.
- The museum’s collection includes work by well-known South African artists such as Gerard Sekoto and Judith Mason, as well as up-and-coming artists.
Physical Location
Conclusion
The Pretoria Art Museum offers a unique cultural experience, showcasing the rich and diverse history of South African art. Whether you’re a local or a visitor to Pretoria, a trip to this museum is a must for anyone interested in exploring the world of contemporary and traditional South African art.