Performing Arts in Puerto Rico

The Art Museum of Frame Masters
The museum features fine arts, paintings, sculptures, canvas reproductions, expert framings, and moldings.


Address: 715-A Tito Castro, Ponce
(787) 848-0307



Asilo de Beneficencia
The Asilo de Beneficencia ("Home for the Poor") was built 1840s for the indigent people. Today it houses the administrative offices of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, with several changing exhibition galleries and an interesting room filled with pre-Columbian artifacts. The galleries are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9am to 4:30pm, charging $1 admission.


(787) 724-5949 or (787) 724-5477



Ateneo Puertorriqueno
Ateneo Puertorriqueno is the oldest cultural institution in Puerto Rico, founded in 1876. The Ateneo host a collection of art works, literature, historical documents, and memorabilia. It offers literary contests, annual art competitions, and short academic courses. Open weekdays from 9am to 5pm.


Address: Ponce de León Ave., San Juan
(787) 722-4839
Fax (787) 725-3873



Biblioteca Electrónica Sixto Escobar
In addition to serving the needs of students and researchers, the library houses objects and memorabilia of the famous boxer, Sixto Excobar, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1950.


(787) 846-7056



Butterfly People
An unique store featuring of a gallery, restaurant, gift shop, and antique shop. Hundreds of butterflies literally flutter across the walls of the gallery. These unique displays of beautiful arrangements of preserved butterflies, the work of artist Attenaire Purington, are for sale. Prices range from 20 to thousands of dollars. Open Monday through Saturday.


Address: 152 Fortaleza St., San Juan 00901
(787) 723-2432



Centro Cultural Sixto Escobar


Address: Georgetti St., Barceloneta
(787) 846-4199



Centro de Arte y Cultura
Displaying works of the Puerto Rican artist Tom Batista.


(787) 633-1096



Centro de Bellas Artes de Guaynabo


(787) 790-2355



Centro de Bellas Artes Juan L. Arroyo


(787) 868-6242



Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferre
Puerto Rico's own performing arts center dedicated to the promotion of local and visiting opera stars, ballet and theatrical companies as well as popular singing idols from all over the world. Located in Santurce, this modern architectural masterpiece houses three theaters. The Carlos Marichal Experimental Theater, a 210-seat room designed for theater-in-the-round and intimate chamber music performances. The Rene Marques Theater is a more formal 748-seat room that permits dramatic staging without losing the intimate feeling of live performances. The Antonio Paoli Festival Room is a 1,875-seat concert hall, home of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra.


Address: Ponce de Leon Ave. Stop 20, San Juan 00940
(787) 725-7334
Fax (787) 722-8138



Centro de Bellas Artes


864-0600 Ext. 2306



Cuartel de Ballajá
The Ballajá Quarters were the last and biggest buildings built by the Spaniards in Puerto Rico. The building measures 310 feet in its north and south sides; 272 feet in its east and west sides for a total of 84,320 sq.ft. (7,716 m2). Originally conceived as a solution to the lodging needs of military personnel stationed in San Juan, the building could accommodate up to 1,000 soldiers and their relatives. It's construction began in 1854. The Cuartel de Ballajá is a three-story, quadrilateral building with ample balconies, designed with a series of arches, that look towards an interior patio which served as a plaza and covers a reservoir. Facilities included officer quarters, warehouses, kitchens, dining rooms, prison cells and stables. After the Spanish American War, the U.S. Army used Ballajá to house its Infantry division. In the 1950s, it was converted into a military medical facility. Carefully restored Ballaja now houses the Museum of the Americas (second floor) features changing exhibitions, archaeological finds of the Ballaja area and an exhibit of crafts in the Americas. Open Mon-Fri 10:00-2:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-5:00, guided tours available weekdays. Admission free.


(787) 724-5052



El Arsenal
Center for changing art exhibitions. Open Wed-Sun 9:00am-4:30pm.


(787) 724-5949



Escuela de Bellas Artes


(787) 259-7373



Galeria Botello
Housed in a colonial mansion that once was the residence of Puerto Rican sculptor Angel Botello, this gallery displays his paintings and sculptures, and also offers a cross-section of contemporary Latin American art.


Address: 314 Franklin Delano Roosevelt Ave., Hato Rey, San Juan 00918
(787) 754-7430
Fax (787) 250-8274



Galeria Glasmin


(787) 292-0540



La Casa Ulanga Sede del Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña
Open Mon-Fri 8am-noon, 1pm-4:30pm.


Address: 7 Gonzalo Marin St., Arecibo
(787) 880-8020



LeLoLai Program
A program of musical shows sponsored by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. Cards may be purchased for $10 at authorized local travel agencies and participating hotels (Condado Beach, Caribe Hilton and the Sands). Participating tour operators offer tour discounts with your LeLoLai card.


(787) 723-3135 (weekdays) or (787) 791-1014 (on weekends and evenings)



Plataforma One


(787) 351-1414 or (787) 751-6820
Fax (787) 751-4441



Ponce School of Fine Arts
The Ponce School of Fine Arts, a 19th-century building, originally served as the Spanish military headquarters and known as El Castillo. It later became the Ponce Jail, but in 1992 it was inaugurated as the Ponce School of Fine Arts.





Popular Arts and Crafts Center
A variety of island crafts are displayed and offered for sale. Open M-F: 9:30am-5:00pm.


(787) 722-0621



Puerto Rican Arts & Crafts
Over 100 artists and artisan bring their handmade hammocks, "santos", jewelry and ceramics.


Address: Fortaleza St., San Juan
(787) 725-5596



Alfredo Ramirez de Arellano y Rosell Art Museum
Art museum and library displays collections of religious art and objects. Open Wed-Sun 10:00am-noon 1:00pm-3:00pm


Address: 7 Esperanza St., San German 00683
(787) 892-8870



San Juan Cinemafest
San Juan Cinemafest features an outdoor cinema in the Plaza Las Delicias.


(787) 723-2362.



Teatro Fenix
Built in 1917.





Teatro la Perla
Built in the neoclassical style in 1864, remains one of the most visible symbols of the economic prosperity of Ponce during the mid-19th century. Designed by Juan Bertoli, an Italian-born resident of Puerto Rico who studied in Europe, it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1918, and rebuilt in 1940 according to the original plans; it reopened to the public in 1941.


Address: Mayor St., Ponce
(787) 843-4080



Teatro Tapia y Rivera
The Tapia Theater, built in 1832 (financed by subscriptions and by taxes on bread and imported liquor) and remodeled in 1949 and 1987 is one of the oldest theaters in the Western Hemisphere, was named for Alejandro Tapia y Rivera, the famous Puerto Rican playwright. Still hosts a variety of entertainment in the fine arts, plays, ballets and concerts.


Address: Ponce de Leon Avenue, Old San Juan, San Juan
(787) 721-0169



Teatro Yagüez
This historic landmark first opened its doors in the early 1900s. This theater has an Art Deco style that is based on the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris.


Address: William McKinley Av., Mayaguez
(787) 833-5195



W. Labiosa Gallery
The gallery exposes a fine and exciting artwork by local artists. Open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm.


(787) 721-2848
Fax (787) 724-3008



Coliseo Ruben Rodríguez
Located 20 minutes away from the San Juan. It has a seating capacity for 13,000 persons.


(787) 725-2110



Atlas Art
Contemporary paintings and prints, and sculptures in glass and bronze.


Address: 208 Cristo St., Old San Juan, San Juan
(787) 723-9987



Galería San Juan at Gallery Inn
Sculptures of artist Jan D'Esopo.


Address: 204-206 Calle Norzagaray, San Juan 00901
(787) 722-1808



Treehouse Studio
The gallery features brightly colored watercolors by the owner, Monica Laird.


Address: Route 3, Rio Grande
(787) 888-8062