Penang Museums & Art Gallery
o Penang Museum
The museum displays historical artefacts highlighting the important periods in Penang’s development. There are hundreds of exhibits as well as clay, stone and porcelain ware. There are also maps, charts and memorabilia of the first Prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. The museum also has some excellent old prints and paintings of Penang tracing the early years of its discovery and development.
Opening hours: 9.00am to 5.00pm daily except on Fridays
Admission fee: RM1.00 per person.
o Penang War Museum: Located on Batu Maung Hill, this museum is built around the remnants of an old British fort. The 20-acre War Museum takes the visitor on a journey to the past, during WWII, to observe the lifestyle of a typical British soldier and his Asian counterparts. The museum contains several installations above and below ground where old war relics including pillboxes, cannons, armaments, uniforms and cooking equipment are stored. Visitors can weave through a complex to view barracks, old cookhouses, lock-ups, tunnels and ventilation shafts. There is also an interactive firing range where visitors can try their hand at target practice using paintball guns. There is also a seating area where visitors can sit back and enjoy the hilltop view.
Opening hours: 900am to 700pm.
Admission fee: RM10.00 (adult)
RM5.00 (children).
o University Of Science Malaysia (USM) Museum and Art Gallery: Located within the grounds of the University, the museum houses a collection of Malay and Baba Nonya cultural artefacts, textiles, prints, traditional jewellery and Malay daggers. There is one section which is devoted to the performing arts. The art gallery has a fine collection of paintings. Permission to visit should be obtained from the security guards at the main gate.
Opening hours: 9.00am to 4.3Opm (Closed on the first and third Sunday of the month).
Admission is free.
o USM - ABN AMRO Arts Centre
This interactive Arts Centre offers a place for performance, research, study and discussion of local, culture, art and craft. The centre contains displays of local art, handicraft, musical instruments and items used in popular local games and sports.
A theatre within the complex features regular dance, drama and music performances. There are also several seminar halls provided for students and visitors studying local art forms which can also be used as performance venues,
Opening hours: 10.00am – 6.00pm.
Admission is free.
