Chiang Mai University Art Museum is located in attractive grounds at the Suthep Road end of trendy Nimmanhaemin Road in a modern complex, which includes a small theatre for lectures and other performances. It hosts exhibitions by Thai and international artists and entry is free.
The university’s faculty of fine arts, established in 1983, focuses on both traditional and contemporary art and culture and strongly encourages the considerable artistic talent of both Thai young people and those from other ethnicities.
Besides regular art and photographic exhibitions, concerts and workshops are frequently hosted, in addition to a permanent display of artwork. An annual highlight is an outdoor concert of traditional Lanna folk music held on the grass among mature trees and classic Lanna teak houses.
Profits from sales of artwork go to providing art and research materials for talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The 200-seat theater is available for hire to local cultural organizations, with shows such as an annual performance by a local Russian Ballet school and a traditional dance presentation by a visiting student group from the Philippines.
For information about upcoming events, check out free local magazines such as Citylife or Guidelines Living, which are distributed in hotels and restaurants around the city.
Getting There
Take a tuk-tuk or songthaew from anywhere in the city center, or walk for 20 minutes from the northwest corner of the Old City. Head west along Huay Kaew Road, then turn left into Nimmanhaemin Road at the junction with the superhighway. The museum is at the end of the road on the right.
Need to Know
- What is it? The public face of an excellent fine arts faculty.
- Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 09:00-17:00.
- Entrance fee: museum free, performances as advertised.
- Address: corner of Nimmanheimin and Suthep Roads.
- Where: to the west of the city center, at the southern end of Nimmanheimin Road.