The Best Museums & Art Galleries, Say These Artists & Creatives

According to an AI overview, Paris presently has 130 museums while New York City's number 145. Meanwhile, stats from Shanghai's cultural and tourism authorities point at some 162 institutions citywide — art galleries aren't even included in this figure!

As such, it can be hard to know where to start.

How about if we narrowed down that number to just five? Much more manageable, isn't it?

Left to right, top to bottom: Alberto Sanseverino, Chiara Ye, Ellen-Anan Kier, Sasha Yubukov and Sarah Ching

Ranging from a hand-poke tattoo artist to a young art dealer, five creatives kindly tipped us off on their favourite places to refill their respective creativity tanks.

Heed each culture vulture's helpful tips below!

📍 127 Guangfu Road, Jing'an

⏰ Tue - Sun, 10:30 AM - 11 PM

☎️ 131-2241-5362

¥  158 RMB and up

Fotografiska is a standout destination in a captivating location by the Suzhou Creek.

I've attended several exhibitions here and greatly admire their international curation standards and innovative approach to media, which is complemented by classic masterpieces. 

Notable exhibitions I enjoyed include Marco Brambilla’s Double Feature and Wang Chen's Synaptic Forest. Both were unique and fresh by way of content, immersive in format, and had a touch of wit.

Another highlight of Fotografiska is its community. The international vibe of Shanghai, reminiscent of its golden age, is palpable, making the museum a fantastic place to socialise and enjoy art in a lively setting.

📍 200 Huayangang Road, Huangpu

⏰ Tue - Sun, 11 AM - 7 PM

¥  60 RMB and up

More than just an art museum, the Power Station of Art is a reflection of Shanghai's capacity for transformation and creativity.

I love exploring the unique atmosphere, especially on a rainy day. Plus, the space is massive, allowing for multiple exhibitions at once. Each visit feels like a brand new experience.

I also enjoy walking around the area after visiting the museum, as the nearby Bund walking path offers a refreshing contrast to the museum's industrial vibe.

Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto at the Power Station of Art. Photos by Chiara Ye

Right now, there is a Chanel exhibition that is absolutely captivating, alongside a fascinating furniture exhibition.

It's incredibly hard to name the best gallery or museum in Shanghai, as they're constantly changing, but the Power Station of Art is close to my home, and whenever I'm short of ideas for activities, I find myself going there. Plus, as a member, I have even more reason to return.

Family membership perks at the Powerstation of Art include unlimited entries for the signee and two to three guests.

📍 50 Moganshan Road, Putuo

⏰ Differs per gallery

¥  Free entry

Photo courtesy of Ellen-Anan Kier

Some might say it's past its prime, but it's very close to mine, so I'd say M50 is probably my favourite area to explore whenever I'm feeling artsy or looking for inspiration.

I used to visit it a lot while my dad was still living in Shanghai; he's an art collector, and we became close with quite a few of the gallery owners.

M50 Art District. Photo via Dianping

M50 is fun for half a day of exploring, and many of the gallery owners are quite lovely to chat with.

📍 185 Sichuan Middle Road, Huangpu

⏰ Tue - Sun, 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM

☎️  184-6698-6542

¥  Free entry

The Bund Art Center (BAC) or 185 Space is a small contemporary museum with gallery-like intimacy along Suzhou Road, near the Bund.

I emphasise the intimacy of BAC, as it defies the traditional museum visit. Stepping inside feels like entering someone's home to view their private collection.

Sometimes less is more. For instance, BAC's small size means it's easy to build a relationship with the artists and the institution. The art is no longer just decorative wall hangings by strangers, but something a friend has crafted.

The space was once a private residence, I believe. There is not an overwhelming amount of work that you'll spend hours browsing, and end up only remembering one or two standout pieces. Each piece is carefully curated to be memorable and create an impact. 

I was brought to BAC by the artist Yi Tian, who was joined by one of the fabulous assistants. My recent move to Shanghai has exposed me to some of the most talented artists I have seen worldwide, regardless of age and experience. 

📍 Unit 4, 165 Wuyuan Road, Xuhui

⏰ Tue - Sun, 11 AM - 6 PM

¥  Free entry

Linseed Gallery. Photos courtesy of Sarah Ching

Linseed Gallery is one of my absolute favourite art spaces because it's a breath of fresh air in the often stuffy art world.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Ching

Lingzhi, the gallery owner, has an incredible eye for talent. She's been in the game for ages (not that she’s an old lady; she's actually quite young, so she knows her stuff. What I love most is her dedication to showcasing emerging artists from Asia and beyond. I mean, it's mind-boggling how she consistently unearths amazing talents that other galleries seem to overlook. Her curation is magic — she brings together different styles and perspectives in a stunning juxtaposition that just works.

The cool thing is the artists are often there in person, so you can chat with the creators and get their insights, which makes your experience even more engaging. 

There is an adorable little patio tucked away on the top floor — see if you can find it!

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All images were provided by the interviewees or sourced from public platforms. This article is not to be replicated without prior consent.