Agung Rai Museum of Art

Overview

The Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) is a cultural complex in Peliatan, Ubud, founded in 1996 by art collector Agung Rai. It houses an extensive collection of traditional Balinese, Indonesian, and foreign artworks spanning several centuries.

Highlights

• Permanent Collection: Features works by Walter Spies, Rudolf Bonnet, and I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, tracing the evolution of Balinese art.
• Tropical Gardens: The museum is set within lush gardens with lotus ponds and frangipani-lined paths.
• Cultural Performances: Regular evening performances of Balinese dance and gamelan music in the open-air stage.

History

Agung Rai began collecting art in the 1970s and opened the museum to preserve and promote Balinese artistic heritage. The complex was designed to integrate architecture, gardens, and art in a unified cultural experience.

Visitor Tips

• Best Time: Morning visits are quieter; evening dance performances start around 19:00.
• Dress Code: Sarong and sash required for temple areas within the complex.
• Duration: 1–2 hours.