What are the opening hours?

Monday 08:00 - 17:00 Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00 Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00 Thursday 08:00 - 17:00 Friday 08:00 - 17:00 Saturday 09:00 - 16:00 Sunday 09:00 - 16:00

Oliewenhuis Art Museum

Home
South Africa
Bloemfontein
Oliewenhuis Art Museum

Oliewenhuis Art Museum is an Art Museum which holds in trust an historical and contemporary art collection on behalf of the people of South Africa.

Oliewenhuis - a Neo-Dutch style mansion - was designed by William Mollison, Head Architect of the Department of Public Works and his assistant, John Stockwing Cleland in 1935. Completed in 1941, this mansion, located on Grant’s Hill, served as residence for the Governor General of the Union of South Africa from 1942. In 1947, King George VI, his wife and two daughters used Oliewenhuis as residence

during their three-day visit to Bloemfontein. After the establishment of the Republic of South Africa in 1961, Oliewenhuis became the official residence for the State Presidents of South Africa during official visits to Bloemfontein. In 1972, the building was officially named Oliewenhuis, the name being derived from the abundance of wild olive trees growing on the surrounding hills. On 19 July 1985, after prolonged campaigning by the art loving citizens of Bloemfontein for an art museum, former State President P.W. Botha released the residence to the National Museum for the purpose of converting it into an art museum. Several structural alterations and adjustments had to be made to the existing building to provide a suitable environment for the conservation and exhibition of artworks. On 11 October 1989, Oliewenhuis Art Museum was officially opened as a satellite of the National Museum. The Museum boasts up-to-date technology to store and exhibit artworks in ideal climatic and security conditions. The Museum is located in one of the most magnificent gardens in the city, a large section of the property comprises natural vegetation bordering on the Museum grounds. It is the only museum of its kind in the Free State and one of the youngest art museums in the country. Oliewenhuis Art Museum is a satellite of the National Museum, Bloemfontein, an agency of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

23/06/2026

📢📢 Artist Career Development Workshop with ArtbankSA 📢📢

In celebration of Youth Day, we are inviting all emerging and early career artists to ArtbankSA’s online Artist Career Development Workshop, taking place on 24 June 2026.
The aim of the workshop is to equip young artists with the skills needed to build thriving careers, and to foster relationships between artists and the Art Bank of South Africa (ArtbankSA), a national programme that supports artists’ career development and exposure to the art market.

Speakers and Topics
• “How ArtbankSA Can Support You” – Innocent Moche, Assistant Project Manager at ArtbankSA
• “Curation with(out) Confines: Working with Museums, Galleries and Independent Practice” – Candice Thikeson, Art historian and curator

Date: Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Venue: Microsoft teams https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/363514286649595?p=znEqEQCTuokPKnR3WX.
Meeting ID: 363 514 286 649 595
Passcode: ZN9Kb7AQ
Time: 12:00 – 14:00

Art Bank of South Africa is a national programme of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and is hosted by the National Museum, Bloemfontein. We acquire, curate, and sell exceptional works from South Africa’s emerging artists. Our vision is to promote, foster and stimulate a vibrant market for the collection of contemporary art.Artist Career Development Workshop with ArtbankSA

In celebration of Youth Month, we are inviting all emerging and early career artists to ArtbankSA’s online Artist Career Development Workshop, taking place on 24 June 2026.
The aim of the workshop is to equip young artists with the skills needed to build thriving careers, and to foster relationships between artists and the Art Bank of South Africa (ArtbankSA), a national programme that supports artists’ career development and exposure to the art market.

Speakers and Topics
• “How ArtbankSA Can Support You” – Innocent Moche, Assistant Project Manager at ArtbankSA
• “Curation with(out) Confines: Working with Museums, Galleries and Independent Practice” – Candice Thikeson, Art historian and curator

Date: Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Venue: Microsoft teams https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/363514286649595?p=znEqEQCTuokPKnR3WX.
Meeting ID: 363 514 286 649 595
Passcode: ZN9Kb7AQ
Time: 12:00 – 14:00

Art Bank of South Africa is a national programme of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and is hosted by the National Museum, Bloemfontein. We acquire, curate, and sell exceptional works from South Africa’s emerging artists. Our vision is to promote, foster and stimulate a vibrant market for the collection of contemporary art.

23/06/2026

🖼️ 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀!

Visit 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝘼𝙧𝙩: 𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙪𝙢 𝙖𝙨 𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢 and discover how South African artists have explored identity, social issues and personal stories through visual art.

The exhibition offers something for everyone and encourages visitors to engage with artworks in a meaningful and accessible way.

📍 Oliewenhuis Art Museum
📅 Until 19 July 2026

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲? Book a 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 guided tour for your family, community group or friends.

Contact:
Baitumetse Moloabi
📧 [email protected]
📞 078 364 2654

🎟️ Entrance free
🚗 Parking R10 per vehicle (cash only)

23/06/2026

🎨 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆-𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 — don't miss this opportunity!

ArtbankSA's online Artist Career Development Workshop takes place tomorrow, 24 June 2026, offering valuable insights into building a sustainable career in the visual arts.

Join industry professionals as they share practical advice on career development, working with museums and galleries and how ArtbankSA can support artists on their creative journeys.

🎤 Speakers:
• Innocent Moche – Assistant Project Manager, ArtbankSA
• Candice Thikeson – Art Historian and Curator

📅 Date: Wednesday, 24 June 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00 – 14:00
💻 Microsoft Teams

🆔 Meeting ID: 363 514 286 649 595
🔑 Passcode: ZN9Kb7AQ

Join here:
https://teams.microsoft.com/dl/launcher/launcher.html?url=%2F_%23%2Fmeet%2F363514286649595%3Fp%3DznEqEQCTuokPKnR3WX%26fbclid%3DIwY2xjawSfg2BleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE3MU1KVGFwakVUWlgzVXpnc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmQ8XLQKnludV_04qC3OQFAR961NAcjybGHkH1sQqCn4-lwQ5rO9mHpVMn0R_aem_YWdncwDgAqQVqbTMmwR1usJ3Pji6%26brid%3DYWdncwFgAgvddieMU-UKQ78GC2dD%26anon%3Dtrue&type=meet&deeplinkId=7f04ca75-5332-4302-bbd6-fbf2d30ad4c8&directDl=true&msLaunch=true&enableMobilePage=true&suppressPrompt=true

Hosted by ArtbankSA, a national programme of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the National Museum, Bloemfontein.

23/06/2026

🌫️✨ 𝗔 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗢𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗻𝗵𝘂𝗶𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺.

There is something magical about strolling through the Sculpture Park while a soft blanket of mist rests over the lawn and sculptures.

Whether you are looking for a peaceful walk, a family outing or an inspiring art experience, Oliewenhuis Art Museum offers something for everyone. Explore our Sculpture Park, enjoy the African Carousel and discover the exhibitions currently on show:

🎨 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔
📍 Permanent Collection Gallery, Main Building (1st Floor)
🗓 Until 26 July 2026

🎨 𝑼𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒃𝒐 𝑳𝒘𝒆𝒎𝒊 𝑴𝒐𝒚𝒂: 𝑨 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒉𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒚 𝑸𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒚 𝑴𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒐 𝑯𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒘𝒂
📍 Annex Gallery
🗓 Until 28 June 2026

🎨 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝑨𝒓𝒕: 𝑴𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒖𝒎 𝒂𝒔 𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎
📍 Main Building (1st Floor)
🗓 Until 19 July 2026

📍 Oliewenhuis Art Museum
16 Harry Smith Street, Bloemfontein

⏰ Visiting Hours
Mon–Fri: 08:00–17:00
Sat, Sun & Public Holidays: 09:00–16:00

🎟 Entrance to the museum is FREE
🚗 Parking: R10 per vehicle

Come and experience art, nature and history in one of Bloemfontein’s most beautiful settings.

23/06/2026

🖼️ 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟲 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗢𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗻𝗵𝘂𝗶𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺.

Throughout the day, our friendly Art Museum Guides welcomed visitors and led groups through the exhibitions, sharing stories, encouraging discussion and helping visitors connect with South African art in meaningful ways.

Youth Month reminds us that museums are places of learning, curiosity and discovery for all generations.

22/06/2026

📢📢📢 Artist Career Development Workshop with ArtbankSA 📢📢📢

In celebration of Youth Month, we are inviting all emerging and early career artists to ArtbankSA’s online Artist Career Development Workshop, taking place on 24 June 2026.
The aim of the workshop is to equip young artists with the skills needed to build thriving careers, and to foster relationships between artists and the Art Bank of South Africa (ArtbankSA), a national programme that supports artists’ career development and exposure to the art market.

Speakers and Topics
• “How ArtbankSA Can Support You” – Innocent Moche, Assistant Project Manager at ArtbankSA
• “Curation with(out) Confines: Working with Museums, Galleries and Independent Practice” – Candice Thikeson, Art historian and curator

Date: Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Venue: Microsoft teams https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/363514286649595?p=znEqEQCTuokPKnR3WX.
Meeting ID: 363 514 286 649 595
Passcode: ZN9Kb7AQ
Time: 12:00 – 14:00

Art Bank of South Africa is a national programme of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and is hosted by the National Museum, Bloemfontein. We acquire, curate, and sell exceptional works from South Africa’s emerging artists. Our vision is to promote, foster and stimulate a vibrant market for the collection of contemporary art.

22/06/2026

🚨 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝙐𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙤 𝙇𝙬𝙚𝙢𝙞 𝙈𝙤𝙮𝙖 (𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙅𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙈𝙮 𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙩)!

Quincy Mbuso Hlongwa's evocative paintings offer a moving exploration of identity, introspection and the emotional landscapes that shape our lives.

Visit before the exhibition closes on 28 June.

📍 Annex Gallery, Oliewenhuis Art Museum
🎟 Free museum entry
🚗 Parking: R10 per vehicle (cash only)

22/06/2026

🎨 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗢𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗻𝗵𝘂𝗶𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟲 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

Young visitors enjoyed a special colouring station presented by the Mobile Art Museum, creating a fun and engaging space where children could explore colour, imagination and creativity while celebrating Youth Day.

Through initiatives such as the Mobile Art Museum, art becomes accessible, interactive and inspiring for younger audiences, encouraging lifelong connections with creativity, learning and the visual arts.

19/06/2026

📢 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗦𝗔 📢

In celebration of Youth Month, emerging and early-career artists are invited to attend ArtbankSA’s online Artist Career Development Workshop on Wednesday, 24 June 2026.

This informative workshop aims to equip young artists with valuable knowledge and practical skills to help build sustainable careers in the visual arts while fostering connections between artists and the Art Bank of South Africa (ArtbankSA), a national programme dedicated to supporting artists' career development and exposure to the art market.

🎤 Speakers and Topics
• How ArtbankSA Can Support You – Innocent Moche, Assistant Project Manager at ArtbankSA
• Curation with(out) Confines: Working with Museums, Galleries and Independent Practice – Candice Thikeson, Art Historian and Curator

📅 Date: Wednesday, 24 June 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00 – 14:00
💻 Venue: Microsoft Teams
🆔 Meeting ID: 363 514 286 649 595
🔑 Passcode: ZN9Kb7AQ

Join here:
https://teams.microsoft.com/dl/launcher/launcher.html?url=%2F_%23%2Fmeet%2F363514286649595%3Fp%3DznEqEQCTuokPKnR3WX%26fbclid%3DIwY2xjawSfg2BleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE3MU1KVGFwakVUWlgzVXpnc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmQ8XLQKnludV_04qC3OQFAR961NAcjybGHkH1sQqCn4-lwQ5rO9mHpVMn0R_aem_YWdncwDgAqQVqbTMmwR1usJ3Pji6%26brid%3DYWdncwFgAgvddieMU-UKQ78GC2dD%26anon%3Dtrue&type=meet&deeplinkId=7f04ca75-5332-4302-bbd6-fbf2d30ad4c8&directDl=true&msLaunch=true&enableMobilePage=true&suppressPrompt=true

ArtbankSA is a national programme of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, hosted by the National Museum, Bloemfontein. Through the acquisition, curation and sale of artworks by emerging artists, ArtbankSA promotes and supports the development of South Africa’s contemporary visual arts sector.

19/06/2026

🔟 𝙊𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝟭𝟬 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙡𝙚𝙛𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙐𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙤 𝙇𝙬𝙚𝙢𝙞 𝙈𝙤𝙮𝙖 (𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙅𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙈𝙮 𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙩) 𝙗𝙮 𝙌𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙮 𝙈𝙗𝙪𝙨𝙤 𝙃𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙬𝙖.

Featuring a powerful collection of figurative paintings, the exhibition explores themes of identity, memory, companionship and self-discovery through bold colour and expressive storytelling.

📍 Annex Gallery, Oliewenhuis Art Museum
🗓 Ends 28 June 2026
🎟 Free museum entry
🚗 Parking: R10 per vehicle (cash only)

Address

16 Harry Smith Street
Bloemfontein

Opening Hours

Monday	08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 17:00
Thursday	08:00 - 17:00
Friday	08:00 - 17:00
Saturday	09:00 - 16:00
Sunday	09:00 - 16:00

Website

https://nationalmuseum.co.za/oliewenhuis-introduction/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Oliewenhuis Art Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your establishment to be the top-listed Arts & Entertainment in Bloemfontein?

Oliewenhuis Art Museum

23/06/2026

23/06/2026

23/06/2026

23/06/2026

23/06/2026

22/06/2026

22/06/2026

22/06/2026

19/06/2026

19/06/2026

Address

Opening Hours

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category