Any tour of contemporary art in Bogotá should start at Museum of Modern Art of Bogotá, better known as MAMBO. Founded in 1963, this museum has been a fundamental pillar in the promotion and dissemination of contemporary art in Colombia. Its permanent collection houses works by prominent Colombian artists such as Fernando Botero, Enrique Grau, Débora Arango and Beatriz González, whose influence has been key in the development of art in the country. The MAMBO also stands out for its temporary exhibitions, which are recognised on the circuit for curating some of the most interesting and dynamic works of art around. In addition, the museum is in constant dialogue with the city, organising events and activities that invite the public to interact with its works in a closer and more personal way.

Another must-see is the El Museo Gallery, one of Bogotá’s most prestigious art spaces. Founded in 1987, this gallery has led the dissemination and consolidation of Colombian and international contemporary art inside the country, and acted as a bridge to Europe when it founded the Fernando Pradilla Gallery in Madrid in 2001. Over the years, the Museum’s Gallery has worked with some of Colombia’s most influential artists, such as Botero himself (whom it still represents), the well-known painter Alejandro Obregón and the aforementioned Débora Arango, as well as with emerging talents who are redefining the local art landscape, including the sculptor Aurora Cañero, the cartoonist Álvaro Barrios and the photographer Marcos López. Their exhibitions, ranging from painting and sculpture to video art and installation, are a window into the most current trends in contemporary art. The gallery actively participates in ARTBO and other international fairs.

The Espacio Odeón – located in a former theatre dating from the 1930s – has been repurposed into a multidisciplinary hub that hosts exhibitions, performances and experimental events and is defined as a project of contemporary artistic creation that focuses on experimentation, interdisciplinarity and research. Espacio Odeón is also a self-managed and independent space that aims to champion young Colombian arts, where alternative discourses and debates find a place beyond the official circuits. Espacio Odeón’s programming includes both local and international artists, and its exhibitions are often an eclectic mix of media and styles. Here, contemporary art is experienced in an immersive and participatory way, which invites viewers to take an active part in the creative process. Espacio Odeón is a testimony to the dynamism and vitality of contemporary art in Bogotá, and an unmissable spot for those looking for the latest in the art scene.

In the historic neighbourhood of La Candelaria, you’ll find the Botero Museum, a required stop for getting to know one of the most influential Colombian artists in history. Here, visitors can find a total of 208 works – 123 by Botero himself, with sculptures, drawings and paintings – and 85 by artists such as Picasso, Matisse and Rodin, all donated by the Colombian artist to the Banco de la República in 2000. Since then, the collection has been open to the public completely free of charge in a Colonial mansion that was restored under the curatorship of Botero himself, giving rise to an architectural intervention that speaks of the works and is worth a visit in its own right.

After exploring traditional museums and spaces, head to the San Felipe neighbourhood, one of the most exciting areas for contemporary art in Bogotá. Since 2010, numerous galleries, artists’ studios and cultural spaces have flourished in the area. Among the most outstanding are NC Arte, an incredible gallery dedicated to artistic education, Instituto de Visión, which focuses on the talents of women, or Estudio74, a space especially valued by collectors. These galleries are known for their focus on emerging art, presenting risky and innovative ideas. The neighbourhood’s galleries and artists have recently come together to create the Open San Felipe festival, an event held on different dates throughout the year and which sees the participation of more than 70 workshops, showrooms, studios, artists and galleries located in San Felipe. Previous editions have had varied focuses, for example, convening an urban art festival where international artists transformed the walls of the neighbourhood. On its website, you can find a directory with the artistic spaces that you must see in the San Felipe neighbourhood.

We can’t talk about contemporary art in Bogotá without mentioning ARTBO, the International Art Fair of Bogotá, held from 26-29 September 2024. With its 20 years of history, ARTBO is a key meeting point for gallerists, collectors, curators and art lovers from all over the world. Each year, the fair presents a carefully curated selection of galleries that exhibit the best of Colombian contemporary art, from the most established proposals to the most emerging ones. In addition to the galleries, ARTBO includes a varied academic programme, with talks, workshops and forums that address the most relevant topics in contemporary art and review the creative trends of Latin America.