Kyiv is home to several dozen museums, including many dedicated to art. We recommend that you definitely visit the following:
National Art Museum of Ukraine (6 Hrushevsky St.)
This is the most representative collection of Ukrainian art in the world. The museum’s collection includes over 40,000 exhibits — masterpieces of Ukrainian icon painting, painting, sculpture, graphics, and media art from the 12th century to the present day. Not all exhibits are displayed at once, as the exhibition is partially rotated. The museum regularly organises exhibitions of renowned Ukrainian artists, hosts lectures, and runs cultural and educational programs — everything that is expected of a modern museum. You can always find out about current exhibitions on the museum’s website, where you can also explore virtual 3D exhibitions: https://namu.ua/
This is the most representative collection of Ukrainian art in the world. The museum’s collection includes over 40,000 exhibits — masterpieces of Ukrainian icon painting, painting, sculpture, graphics, and media art from the 12th century to the present day. Not all exhibits are displayed at once, as the exhibition is partially rotated. The museum regularly organises exhibitions of renowned Ukrainian artists, hosts lectures, and runs cultural and educational programs — everything that is expected of a modern museum. You can always find out about current exhibitions on the museum’s website, where you can also explore virtual 3D exhibitions: https://namu.ua/
Bohdan and Varvara Khanenko National Museum of Arts (The Khanenko Museum) (15–17 Tereshchenkivska St.)
This is Ukraine’s largest museum of world art, showcasing major collections of art from Europe, Asia, and the ancient world. The collection comprises over 25,000 exhibits and is based on the private collection of famous Kyiv philanthropists Bohdan and Varvara Khanenko, assembled in the late 19th – early 20th centuries. The museum, named in their honour, is located in the mansion where they once lived. The façade and interiors of this palace-like house feature historicist style with elements of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo design. The museum regularly holds exhibitions of both classical and contemporary artists, as well as scientific, educational, and musical events. Learn more on its website: https://khanenko.museum/
This is Ukraine’s largest museum of world art, showcasing major collections of art from Europe, Asia, and the ancient world. The collection comprises over 25,000 exhibits and is based on the private collection of famous Kyiv philanthropists Bohdan and Varvara Khanenko, assembled in the late 19th – early 20th centuries. The museum, named in their honour, is located in the mansion where they once lived. The façade and interiors of this palace-like house feature historicist style with elements of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo design. The museum regularly holds exhibitions of both classical and contemporary artists, as well as scientific, educational, and musical events. Learn more on its website: https://khanenko.museum/
National Museum “Kyiv Art Gallery” (9 Tereshchenkivska St.)
Yes, this museum is located right next to the Khanenko Museum — so you can visit both in one day, if you can handle such an artistic experience! The museum’s collection includes over 14,000 works of painting, graphics, sculpture, and decorative arts from the times of Kyivan Rus to the present. It features works from various countries, eras, and artistic movements, offering insight into the history and development of art in Eastern Europe and beyond. The museum regularly organises exhibitions of Ukrainian classics and contemporary artists. Website: https://knag.museum/
Yes, this museum is located right next to the Khanenko Museum — so you can visit both in one day, if you can handle such an artistic experience! The museum’s collection includes over 14,000 works of painting, graphics, sculpture, and decorative arts from the times of Kyivan Rus to the present. It features works from various countries, eras, and artistic movements, offering insight into the history and development of art in Eastern Europe and beyond. The museum regularly organises exhibitions of Ukrainian classics and contemporary artists. Website: https://knag.museum/
National Museum of Decorative Arts (9 Lavrska St., Building 29)
This museum’s collection contains over 80,000 works of traditional folk and professional decorative art of Ukraine from the 15th to the early 21st century. It represents all types of Ukrainian folk art: carpet weaving, textiles, block printing, embroidery, ceramics, wood carving and painting, artistic metalwork, leatherwork, glass, porcelain, Easter eggs (pysanky), folk painting, and iconography. The museum is located within the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, in the former residence of the Metropolitan and adjacent buildings of the Annunciation Church — architectural monuments of the 18th – early 20th centuries. Thus, by visiting this museum, you can enjoy both the unique, diverse, and fascinating world of Ukrainian decorative art and the beautiful architecture. The museum holds the largest collection of works by the world-famous folk artist Maria Prymachenko and 37 paintings by another renowned Ukrainian artist, Kateryna Bilokur. You can view the virtual gallery on the museum’s website: https://www.mdmu.com.ua/
This museum’s collection contains over 80,000 works of traditional folk and professional decorative art of Ukraine from the 15th to the early 21st century. It represents all types of Ukrainian folk art: carpet weaving, textiles, block printing, embroidery, ceramics, wood carving and painting, artistic metalwork, leatherwork, glass, porcelain, Easter eggs (pysanky), folk painting, and iconography. The museum is located within the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, in the former residence of the Metropolitan and adjacent buildings of the Annunciation Church — architectural monuments of the 18th – early 20th centuries. Thus, by visiting this museum, you can enjoy both the unique, diverse, and fascinating world of Ukrainian decorative art and the beautiful architecture. The museum holds the largest collection of works by the world-famous folk artist Maria Prymachenko and 37 paintings by another renowned Ukrainian artist, Kateryna Bilokur. You can view the virtual gallery on the museum’s website: https://www.mdmu.com.ua/
We wish you an unforgettable experience exploring the unique world of Ukrainian art and the masterpieces of world culture!
Written by
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Iryna Prozhohina
Philologist, Associate Professor, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Researches Ukrainian language and culture, and teaches Ukrainian to foreigners.
Translated by
Mike Svystun
Software developer, entrepreneur.