Santiago Museum of Contemporary Art 🇨🇱

When you visit Santiago, Chile, you can explore one of the city's major cultural institutions: the Santiago Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC). Created in 1947 and operated by the University of Chile Faculty of Arts, this dynamic museum specializes in modern and contemporary art. It serves as an essential platform for showcasing creative expression, promoting social inclusion, and protecting a rich artistic heritage that spans from the late 19th century to the present day.

The museum operates across two distinct sites: MAC Parque Forestal and MAC Quinta Normal Park. At the Parque Forestal venue, you will find the museum housed in the western wing of the grand, Neoclassical/Art Nouveau Palacio de Bellas Artes, located right behind the Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts. At Quinta Normal Park, you can experience the historic El Partenón building, where the museum originally opened.

Inside, you will encounter a valuable collection of over 2,000 pieces. You can admire nearly 1,000 engravings, 600 paintings, sculptures, drawings, and watercolors. What to see includes works by prominent Chilean figures such as Roberto Matta and Matilde Pérez, alongside international masters like Isamu Noguchi and Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

What to see at Santiago Museum of Contemporary Art

• Collection of over 2,000 pieces including engravings, paintings, drawings, and sculptures
• Masterpieces by Chilean artists such as Roberto Matta, Nemesio Antúnez, and Matilde Pérez
• International works by artists like Isamu Noguchi, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, and Oswaldo Guayasamín
• Two distinct sites: Parque Forestal's Palacio de Bellas Artes and Quinta Normal Park's El Partenón

Visiting tips

Remember that the museum is split between two separate locations in the city, so plan time to visit both Parque Forestal and Quinta Normal Park.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Santiago Museum of Contemporary Art is easy to reach on Santiago’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts and Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Santiago travel guide.