Taman Werdhi Budaya Art Centre

Taman Werdhi Budaya Art Centre, also called the Bali Arts Centre or Taman Budaya, sits on Jl. Nusa Indah in Abiankapas, Denpasar Timur, in Bali, Indonesia. It is the island's main government-supported venue for the performing and visual arts, built to preserve and showcase Balinese culture. The grounds hold exhibition galleries, open-air stages, an amphitheatre-style performance hall and landscaped courtyards with carved gateways and sculpture. The centre is best known as the home of the Bali Arts Festival, which runs for about a month from roughly mid-June to mid-July and brings together dance, gamelan, theatre, craft displays, parades and food stalls from across Bali's regencies. During the festival, performances take place most evenings and the grounds are packed with locals and visitors. Outside the festival, the centre is much quieter: galleries show paintings and crafts, rehearsals for dance and music sometimes take place, and the open paths are good for a relaxed stroll. A typical visit lasts one and a half to two hours. Entry to the grounds is open, with a small fee of about IDR 20,000 to 50,000 for galleries and performance halls, and festival performances are ticketed separately. Photo opportunities include the carved gates, the stage architecture and, during the festival, costumed performers. Visitors should arrive early on festival evenings to find parking and seats, and should be prepared for crowds, heat and humidity. Dress modestly, and ask before photographing dancers up close. Outside festival time, mornings offer the quietest atmosphere, but there may be few scheduled events, so checking the programme locally is wise.