This prominent theater is located on the site of the former Teatro Tacón in the Paseo de Martí (Prado), in a building known as the Palacio del Centro Gallego. The façade of the neo-baroque building (constructed in 1914) is adorned with a stone and marble statue. There are also sculptural pieces by Giuseppe Moretti, representing allegories depicting benevolence, education, music and theatre. The García Lorca auditorium provides a magnificent stage for the Cuban National Ballet Company, as well as other dance and musical performances.

Prado (Paseo de Martí) 458
e/ San Rafael y San José
Habana Vieja
Tel: +53 7 61 3078

It is named after revolutionary hero and dissident Julio Antonio Mella, assassinated in Mexico in 1929 under orders of then Cuban dictator Gerardo Machado. This is a modern building with a conventional stage and seating for 1475 attendees. It hosts a variety of shows, from cabaret to recitals as well as theatre performances. The venue is also home to the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional (National Folk Group), which organises a "peña" or folk club ever Saturday from 3pm onwards. In the theatre’s foyer there is a small gallery displaying work by Tina Modotti, famous Italian photographer and communist, and companion to Julio Mella up until his premature demise.

Línea No. 657 entre A y B
Vedado Havana
Tel: +53 7 833 5651

Located in the midst of the Vedado district, this particular theatre stages modern plays produced by young up-and-coming Cuban directors, who strive to offer the theatre-going public a variety of interesting and attractive productions. This is also the venue for the 'Rita Montaner' Theatre Group, led by one of the country’s leading dancers and actresses. Other activities include occasional shows for children, especially on the weekends.

Calle K, e/ Calles 25 y 27
Habana Vedado
Tel: +53 7 32 0630

Centro Cultural Habana
256 Boulevard
Centro Habana
The pleasant Havana Arts Centre (Centro Cultural Habana) is a good place to buy Cuban music tapes, souvenirs, handicrafts, books about the island and postcards. You may take a break in their small cafeteria, which serves a selection of tasty sandwiches, desserts and soft drinks. This is the meeting place for Havana artists and an arts gallery for young talents to exhibit their latest work. The centre also includes a photocopying service. All items are charged for in US dollars. Cuban pesos are not accepted.

Arte en Casa de Las Américas
3ª y G
Vedado Havana
Tel: +53 7 55 2712/ +53 7 55 2706
Fax: +53 7 33 4554
La Casa De Las Americas (the House of the Americas), which offers Latin America’s most prestigious thinkers and writers a space to debate and interchange ideas, has two galleries: the Latin American Gallery, the aim of which is to promote young Cuban artists; and the Haidée Santamaría Gallery (named after the institution’s founder and principal promoter), which allows artists from all over the region and globe to display and promote their work.

Centro Wilfredo Lam

Espacio Aglutinador
Calle 6 entre 25 y 27
Vedado Havana
Tel: +53 7 30 2147
This centre for alternative art is located in the home of Sandra Ceballos, a young graphic artist who has become one of the leading lights of the Cuban arts scene, organizing exhibitions of fellow contemporaries, retrospective displays by well established artists, and poetry recitals. Her small, friendly and informal exhibition space is a magnate for a great number of art enthusiasts, attracted as much by the shows as by the charismatic hostess. Needless to say, admission is free.

Galería Carmen Montilla Tinoco
Oficios 162 entre Amargura y Teniente Rey
La Habana Vieja
Tel: +53 7 33 8768
Found within an old fashioned colonial building that still conserves vestiges of its original architecture, and facing the San Francisco Convent, is the gallery of Venezuelan painter Carmen Montilla Tinoco, described as a great friend of Cuba. Apart from her own work, she also offers exhibition space to other Latin American and Cuban contemporary artists. One outstanding piece is the mural entitled "Flora and Fauna" by local ceramist Alfredo Sosabravo, placed in the doorway of Carmen’s delightful patio.

Galería Mariano
Calle 15 Nº 607 entre B y C
Vedado Havana
Tel: +53 7 55 2702
Housed within one of the eclectic little mansion houses dotted around the old Vedado district, this gallery offers an impressive collection of Caribbean and Latin American handicrafts, which invoke the inheritance left by the region’s indigenous peoples, and the cultural influence of both Europe and Africa. Exhibits such as the trees of life, black clay pieces from Quinchamalí, and decorated and embroidered dolls from Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations, have been collected by the Casa de las Americas since the early sixties, and are exhibited in such a way, so as to underline the cultural significance of each object, and the original setting for which they were intended. Those who wish to purchase replicas of these pieces should pay a visit to the gallery’s shops.

Galería Roberto Fabelo
Oficios 6 esquina Obispo
La Habana Vieja
This gallery, belonging to painter and illustrator Roberto Fabelo, occupies a room on the second floor of an old colonial house, which was once the San Francisco de Sales school for orphaned girls. The La Mina café and restaurant is located on the ground floor. Fabelo is considered to be one of the most original artists on the contemporary Latin American scene. He uses this space to display some of his own work, and sometimes for shared exhibitions with other artists. His paintings are executed in a mannerist style, skilfully evoking Archimboldo and Duchamp, and revolving around the themes of the pyramid and power, the court and miracles, desire and obsession.

Galería Villena
Plaza de Armas
La Habana Vieja
This gallery, found to one side of the Plaza de Armas, is set apart from the Rubén Martínez Villena Public Library, although it is under the same administration. Formed by arcades and glass panels, it is considered to be one of the most modern of its kind in Havana. Found within a restored building, the gallery offers both Cuban and foreign contemporary artists, the chance to not only exhibit their work, but also sell it.

Galería Zaida del Río
Oficios 6, esquina Obispo
La Habana Vieja
On the third floor of an old colonial house, where several other modern artists share their respective galleries, one finds the personal gallery of painter, illustrator, potter and engraver Zaida del Río, who comes from Villa Clara. Del Río's work has travelled the globe, and she has also illustrated both magazines and books. Her skill is to portray the deepest, most desolate aspects of the spirit; and according to Cuban writer Miguel Barnet, her women are multiple representations of herself in different masks and guises.

Manos (Las)
411 Obispo
La Habana Vieja
The Manos ("Hands") Art Gallery sells a variety of crafts and goods made by local people. Many of the objects on sale are inspired by the island’s Afro-Cuban culture. Among the items on offer are cigar cases, African-style masks, and leather goods such as handbags and other small articles made from this material. Prices vary greatly, and purchases can only be made in CUC

Galeria UNEAC
Calle 17 esq. H
Vedado

Galeria Forma
Calle Obispo #255 , e/ Cuba y Aguiar

Galeria Habana
Calle Linea
e/ E y F
Vedado
It does the promotional marketing of works done by Cuban young artists. Promotional exhibits. Latest trends of contemporary art.

Galeria La Acacia
Calle San José 114 esq
Consulado y Industria, Habana Centro

Galeria Victor Manuel
Plaza de la Catedral

Galeria Plaza Vieja
Calle Muralla No.t07, esq. San Ignacio
Habana Vieja

Galeria Horacio Ruíz
Calle Tacón No.4, esq. Empedrado

Taller Experimental de la Gráfica
Callejón del Chorro
Plaza de la Catedral

Taller de Seregráfia Rene Portocarrero
Calle Cuba #513, e/ Teniente Rey y Muralla

Galeria Francisco Javier Baez
Plaza de la Catedral

Galeria Haydee Santamaría
3ra y 5ta,
Habana Vedado
Displays on Latin American craft and transitory exhibits of Latin American artists.