Penang Museum and Art Gallery

The Penang Museum and Art Gallery is located approximately 23 kilometres away from Lexis Suites Penang. Also known as the Penang State Museum and Art Gallery or Muzium dan Galeri Seni Negeri Pulau Pinang, it is a museum and art gallery set on the junction of Lebuh Farquhar and Lebuh Light in George Town, Penang. The Penang Museum and Art Gallery was established to fulfil the interest of the locals as well as visitors in the history, cultures and art of the state of Penang, while at the same time educate the younger generations.

Established since 1965, the Penang Museum and Art Gallery was officially opened by his excellency Raja Tun Uda Al-Haj Bin Raja Muhammad, SMN Governor of Penang. In the past, the Penang Museum and Art Gallery once housed The Penang Free School and The Hutchings School. In order to fulfil the late Y.T.M Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj’s wish of preserving the dignified old building where he and many leading citizens had been schooled, the State Government formed a committee comprising officers and representatives of various interests to discuss the setting up of a Museum and Art Gallery. Although the committee struggled and went through many obstacles, in the end the Penang Museum and Art Gallery was officially established.

The Penang Museum and Art Gallery houses a fine collection of old photographs, maps, historical documents, Chinese furniture, embroidery, costumes and artifacts. The Penang Museum and Art Gallery also has an extensive collection of artworks devoted to modern and contemporary art.

The Art Gallery houses paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photography, architecture, design, performance, video, film and emerging art forms from year 1965 to the present. The Penang Museum and Art Gallery has always encouraged local and International artists to hold their visual art exhibitions at Dewan Sri Pinang, George Town, in order to establish a joint communication and exchange of ideas between the two parties.  

Penang Museum and Art Gallery can be divided into two sections, the permanent and temporary exhibit. The permanent exhibit has galleries dedicated to Penang’s historical communities and certain Penang historical events. It is literally a walk-through affair charting Penang’s history, culture and festivals with a collection of photos, maps and historical records. In the temporary exhibits, this is where the works of the local artists, galleries of colonial prints, paintings of old Penang and many more are on display.

Penang Museum and Art Gallery’s opening hours are from 9.00 am until 5.00 pm, from Saturday to Thursday and they are closed on Fridays and Public Holidays. Book your stay at Lexis Suites Penang and visit Penang Museum and Art Gallery to know more about the colourful heritage, culture and history of Penang!

Entry Fee:
Museum Section: RM 1 
Art Gallery: Free Entry

(Prices are subject to change)

Map: