Building 1 was originally designed by Umezawa Yasushi, a prominent architect who also designed the Tainan Hayashi Department Store.
The pentagonal design of Building 2 creates a 'stacked' vertical effect that allows natural light to filter into the gallery spaces while reducing heat gain.
A massive, century-old banyan tree was preserved and integrated into the courtyard of Building 1 during its renovation.
The museum site previously served as the Tainan Police Station under Japanese colonial rule before being repurposed into a public art institution.
Building 2 incorporates a base-isolation system specifically engineered to protect its collection during seismic activity common in the region.
Tainan Art Museum is divided into two distinct buildings: Building 1, housed in the restored 1931 Tainan Police Station, and Building 2, a modern architectural landmark designed by Shigeru Ban. The complex serves as the primary municipal art gallery for Tainan, focusing on the preservation and promotion of local Taiwanese artists. Building 2 features a unique pentagonal roof structure inspired by the shape of a Delonix regia (flamboyant tree) blossom. The two structures are connected by an underground passage, allowing visitors to transition between historical colonial architecture and contemporary design. The museum maintains a large collection of paintings, sculptures, and multi-media installations by Tainan-based creators. It frequently hosts rotating exhibitions that highlight the cultural evolution of southern Taiwan. The rooftop of Building 2 offers an elevated view of the surrounding historic West Central District.
The dramatic, light-filled staircase and pentagonal roof geometric patterns in Building 2.
Visit both buildings to experience the contrast between the preserved Art Deco police station and the contemporary white-cube galleries.
Check the museum's digital calendar for rotating exhibitions, as gallery spaces are reconfigured frequently.
Use the underground connecting passage to avoid walking across the street during peak heat hours.
Do not attempt to view both buildings in under an hour, as the sheer size of the galleries requires significant walking time.
Closed on Mondays.
Flash photography is prohibited inside exhibition galleries; maintain a quiet volume to respect the contemplative space.
