The Museum of Visual Arts in São Luís occupies a restored colonial building in the historic centre and has a collection focused on contemporary and historical art from Maranhão and northeastern Brazil. The permanent collection includes paintings, sculptures, and ceramic works by regional artists; temporary exhibitions bring in work from across Brazil.
The building itself is worth seeing for its restored azulejo-tiled interiors, which form an appropriate backdrop for works that often engage with the region's cultural heritage. The museum is small but well-maintained, and the air conditioning makes it a welcome refuge during the hottest part of the afternoon.