WEEKENDS are free days alloted by many to spend time with their friends and family. While others prefer staying at home, others take advantage of these work- and school-free days to relax and unwind by visiting malls and other indoor and outdoor attractions.

Since the Philippines is home to great history and remarkable artists, many museums and art galleries were established to showcase rare artifacts and distinguished artworks.

Museums also play an important role in preserving works of art and historical artifacts from different time periods. The collections exhibited inside museums also help in raising awareness and educating the public about society’s antecedents.

On Saturday, International Museum Day will be held with the theme “Museums, Sustainability and Well-being” to celebrate museums all over the world.

This year’s observation will focus on museums’ role in “shaping and creating sustainable futures, and they can do this through educational programmes, exhibitions, community outreach and research.”

Celebrate international museum day by visiting these museums around Metro Manila that offer free admission.

The Drawing Room 

Courtesy: The Drawing Room on Facebook

Located in Makati City, The Drawing Room is an art museum that was initially established as a specialist venue revitalizing works on paper. 

At present, the gallery has expanded to different art formats that encompasses the complex scope of the contemporary Philippine art terrain.

Aside from its Manila exhibits, The Drawing Room also provides opportunities for its artists to hold off-site exhibitions in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, Jakarta, New York, and Paris.

The Drawing Room is open daily.

Metropolitan Museum of Manila

Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Manila on Facebook

Otherwise known as the MET, the Metropolitan Museum of Manila works in the philosophy of “Art For All.”

This museum located in Taguig City exhibits the artistic and cultural heritage of the country and envisions to empower the nation through art.

MET is established through a partnership with Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and is home to various local and international artists.

Although admission is free, museum-goers are advised to book their appointment at least a day before their visit due to limited viewing.

Museum of Contemporary Arts and Design

Courtesy: Museum of Contemporary Arts and Design on Facebook

Established by the De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde, the Museum of Contemporary Arts and Design showcases the fusion of modern technology and new media within culture and art.

Currently, the museum is showcasing the Adaptation: A Reconnected Earth exhibit, which reflects the “realities of a disrupted climate and daily lives lived in anxious oscillation between the enticements of capitalism and responsible conservation.”

Museum-goers must book their appointment in advance. The museum can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday.

Finale Art File

Courtesy: Finale Art File on Instagram (@finaleartfile)

Finale Art File is one of the longest running museums in the country. It was first established in the 1980s and is considered one of the premier gallery institutions in the Philippines.

Located in Makati City, the museum boasts of exhibitions from esteemed local artists in contemporary visual arts.

Museum-goers can enjoy a wide range of art pieces, such as traditional paintings, sculptures, and other forms of mixed media art.

Further, the museum also offers a space for young and emerging Filipino artists to display their pieces.

Ayala Museum

Courtesy: Ayala Museum on Instagram (@ayalamuseum)

Although Ayala Museum isn’t usually open for free viewing, the museum will be offering limited free viewing this Saturday in celebration of the international museum day.

Also located in Makati, the institution offers various collections and displays including archaeology, ethnography, fine arts, numismatics, and ecclesiastical. 

Those interested in visiting the Ayala Museum would have to register via its website as the museum only offers free admission to limited slots.