Villa des Arts de Casablanca

The Villa des Arts de Casablanca is an exhibition venue in a 1934 Art Deco villa at 30 Boulevard Brahim Roudani, in the downtown area of Casablanca in Morocco's Casablanca-Settat region. The villa was built in the 1930s, during the period when Casablanca was developing its modernist and Art Deco architecture, and it is one of the surviving examples of the private residences of that era. The building has been converted into a cultural space dedicated to modern and contemporary art, with a programme of temporary exhibitions of Moroccan and international artists. It is not a permanent-collection museum, so the content changes with each show, and visitors should check current exhibitions before going. The curatorial approach is thematic, built around individual artists, themes and periods, and displays are arranged across the former reception rooms and upper floor of the villa. The architecture itself is part of the appeal, with a geometric facade, rounded corners, period staircase, tiled floors and a garden setting characteristic of 1930s Casablanca. The villa has been restored to serve its present function, with the interior adapted for exhibition lighting while preserving original architectural features. The venue also hosts talks and cultural events, linked to the city's contemporary art scene. Admission is free or low-cost depending on the exhibition, and hours are approximately Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm, though these should be confirmed. A visit usually takes 45 minutes to an hour. Because it sits in the centre of the city, close to cafes and the Art Deco streets of the downtown area, it fits easily into a walking tour of the 20th-century architecture of Casablanca, alongside the Habous Quarter and Place Mohammed V.