Top Art Museums In Mumbai To Explore Creative And Cultural Masterpieces

A beautiful art museum in Mumbai.

Mumbai is a melting pot of Indian culture, being rich in history and culture. The town features art galleries for lovers of arts, containing everything from ancient Indian artworks to modern art pieces. Whether it is an art lover or a travelling person, visits to art museums in Mumbai are an amazing way to explore art in the city. Some art museums in Mumbai are popular while others are not so well known. But either way, they offer a view into the art of India.

10 Best Art Museums In Mumbai

If you are a lover of art, visiting these art museums in Mumbai is an experience that cannot be missed:

1. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

Collection of historical artifacts at this art museum in Mumbai.

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This is one of Mumbai’s most famous museums, formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya provides a nice collection of artworks, artifacts, and historical relics of India. The art gallery of this museum includes paintings, sculptures, and decorative art of India belonging to different epochs. This building built in Indo-Saracenic style and surrounded by exotic gardens can attract history and art enthusiasts. This visit here is a chance to get acquainted with the art and culture of India.

Major Attractions: Indian art, sculptures, textiles
Best Time To Visit: All year round
Location: Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai
Timings: 10:15 AM – 6 PM

2. Jehangir Art Gallery

A popular art museum in Mumbai showcasing modern artworks.

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Jehangir Art Gallery is in the Kala Ghoda district and displays contemporary Indian artists’ works. Founded in 1952, this is one of the most famous galleries where beginning and professional artists exhibit their pieces. For many years, the gallery has been featuring changing contemporary art exhibitions in various mediums, paintings, installations, and photography. Collectors and lovers of art visit this place to sample the latest art exhibitions.

Major Attractions: Contemporary Indian art
Best Time To Visit: All year round
Location: Kala Ghoda, Mumbai
Timings: 11 AM – 7 PM

3. National Gallery Of Modern Art (NGMA)

Exquisite paintings at one of the famous art museums in Mumbai, NGMA

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The TATA modern art gallery in Mumbai is the dream place for each modern and contemporary painting lover. It has a rich database of independent artists like Raja Ravi Varma, Jamini Roy, M.F. Husain and many more. The exhibitions that are hosted at NGMA can focus on multiple subjects. They may include post-colonial Indian art, the artwork produced in the rest of the world: the modernist movements, etc. Due to the large exhibition space, various forms of installations and screenings, NGMA remains one of the cultural centers of Mumbai. It would be strongly recommended to anyone wishing to trace the development of contemporary Indian art.

Major Attractions: Modern Indian art, temporary exhibitions
Best Time To Visit: All year round
Location: Fort, Mumbai
Timings: 11 AM – 6 PM (Closed on Mondays)

4. Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum

The colonial-era art museum in Mumbai has a rich history and decorative arts.

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Located in the area of Byculla, this museum provides several insights into the city’s history and its evolution as an art place. It is also involved in the display of artworks, artifacts, 19th-century clay models, silver and finely carved lacquer works. It also presents all the features of colonial architecture and well-restored interiors, making it especially attractive. Culture, history, and art lovers should take advantage of this museum and the general history of humanity.

Major Attractions: Decorative arts, Mumbai’s history
Best Time To Visit: All year round
Location: Byculla, Mumbai
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM

5. Piramal Museum of Art

 Contemporary and modern art at this art museum in Mumbai

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Piramal Museum of Art in Lower Parel, Mumbai is a modern art museum that displays Indian and international art. The museum has temporary and specific area installations focusing on certain contemporary art-making aspects. The idea is to teach people how art can be appreciated and utilized through workshops, lectures, and other interactive sessions. Its minimalist and chic décor makes it ideal for those interested in India’s more recent art trends.

Major Attractions: Contemporary Indian and international art
Best Time To Visit: All year round
Location: Lower Parel, Mumbai
Timings: 11 AM – 8 PM

6. DAG (Art Gallery) Modern Mumbai

Curated artworks from renowned artists across India, in this art museum in Mumbai

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It was also found that DAG Modern Mumbai is an affiliate of the leading Mumbai Art Gallery, which specializes in modern and contemporary Indian art. The gallery has works by many modern art masters in India, including F.N. Souza, S.H. Raza, and Tyeb Mehta. Specializing in twentieth-century Indian art, DAG provides its collectors with a unique insight into Indian modernism. The curated exhibitions and art talks make the center an enriching experience, especially for visitors interested in India’s art history.

Major Attractions: 20th-century Indian modern art
Best Time To Visit: All year round
Location: Kala Ghoda, Mumbai
Timings: 11 AM – 7 PM

7. Art Musings

Showcase of contemporary art from prominent Indian and international artists.

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Art Musings is a modern art gallery established in Colaba, Mumbai. One of the more acclaimed contemporary art galleries, Art Musings presents the latest in modern Indian artists and art from unknown talents. The art displayed in the gallery ranges from paintings, sculptures, and many installations. First, it is remarkable that the company’s art gallery focuses on experimentation and concepts of contemporary art. Art Musings is perfect for art lovers to find new experiences in Mumbai’s constantly developing art sphere.

Major Attractions: Contemporary Indian art, experimental exhibitions
Best Time To Visit: All year round
Location: Colaba, Mumbai
Timings: 11 AM – 7 PM

8. Project 88

Renowned gallery presenting avant-garde works in Mumbai's iconic art district.

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Project 88 is one of the Mumbai-based contemporary art galleries established in Colaba. Its modernist art is normally characterized by its radical review of conventional art assessments. The gallery has a collection of installations, sculptures, video art and photographs. Sunday celebrates works of art that Project 88 is among the galleries that art lovers should take advantage of to glance at. This is especially true if they are lovers of contemporary art in India. It also presents artist talks and artist workshops that offer information about the new art context.

Major Attractions: Avant-garde art, installations
Best Time To Visit: All year round
Location: Colaba, Mumbai
Timings: 11 AM – 7 PM

9. Chemould Prescott Road

Home to cutting-edge contemporary art by both Indian and international artists.

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Chemould Prescott Road is the oldest and leading contemporary art gallery in Mumbai. This gallery was set in 1963 and for decades this gallery had provided many opportunities to modern contemporary Indian artists. This is one of the places with outstanding exhibitions, which are considered social and presenting concepts most of the time. The gallery Chemould Prescott Road has had a hand in influencing the careers of eminent painters such as Atul Dodiya, Anju Dodiya, and Jitish Kallat. The gallery offers modern installations and exhibitions that most art enthusiasts in Mumbai appreciate.

Major Attractions: Contemporary Indian art, thematic exhibitions
Best Time To Visit: All year round
Location: Fort, Mumbai
Timings: 11 AM – 7 PM

10. Tao Art Gallery

A gallery featuring a wide range of contemporary art and craft

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Worli-based Tao Art Gallery is into showcasing contemporary Indian art. The gallery features artwork from young talents to well-established, specializing in contemporary paintings and sculptures. Tao Art Gallery aims to socialize artists and communities by making thoughtful curating its foremost approach. Because of its environment and new conceptual exhibitions, it is a wonderful place for art enthusiasts interested in the contemporary art scene in Mumbai.

Major Attractions: Contemporary painting and sculpture
Best Time To Visit: All year round
Location: Worli, Mumbai
Timings: 11 AM – 7 PM

Among the forms and genres presented in art museums in Mumbai, we can mention artifacts belonging to the ancient world and progressive works of today. If a traveller is interested in the historical artistic representation of India or even contemporary installation, Mumbai offers it all. Visiting these museums will equip visitors with a richer experience of the art of India. They’ll help them get acquainted with the future of art in India. Knowing the best art museums in Mumbai, it is time to plan your cultural trip with our packages and itineraries with TripXL and explore the best art in Mumbai.

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Frequently Asked Questions

There are several art museums in Mumbai, including the MGSV Museum, CSMVS Museum, Jehangir Art Gallery, and NGMA. All provide selected sections of Indian and foreign paintings and sculptures.
Indeed, there are many modern art galleries in Mumbai, including Art Musings, Project 88, and Chemould Prescott Road. These galleries showcase contemporary, postmodern art from India and around the world.
The art museums in Mumbai are open throughout the year, but it is better to visit them from Monday to Friday if you don’t want to encounter many visitors. Most museums operate between 10 AM and 7 PM.
There are some museums for art in Mumbai, such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, which have certain charges, but there are also those that are free, such as the Jehangir Art Gallery.
Most art museums are located in the central area of Mumbai, making it easier to access them using rail transport, buses, and taxis. Depending on the museum's location, the nearest railway stations are Churchgate and CST.

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