Villa des Arts de Casablanca

The Villa des Arts de Casablanca is a contemporary art centre housed in an Art Deco villa at 30 Boulevard Brahim Roudani in the Gauthier district of Casablanca, Morocco. Built in the 1930s as a private residence, the villa was converted into an exhibition space and today presents changing shows of Moroccan and international artists, with an emphasis on painting, sculpture, photography and installation. The building itself is part of the appeal: white curved forms, wrought-iron railings, high ceilings and a small garden give a sense of the city's interwar architecture while providing a quiet setting for viewing art. Exhibitions rotate several times a year, so what visitors see depends on the programme, and the centre sometimes hosts talks, workshops and film screenings. Entry is free or carries a small fee, depending on the current exhibition. A visit takes about an hour, and weekday visits are the quietest, when galleries are rarely crowded and staff are available to explain the works. Typical opening is Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 18:00, but the schedule changes between shows, so confirmation before going is sensible. Good photo angles include the facade from the street, the curved staircase and the garden. Visitors can combine the villa with the nearby Sacre-Coeur Cathedral and Arab League Park, which are within a short drive or a longer walk. A petit taxi from downtown takes about 10 minutes. Visitors should check whether photography is allowed in the current exhibition, as some artists restrict it.