Found in the heart of the city centre on Schoolhill, the Aberdeen Art Gallery is one of the city’s most-loved attractions. Featuring works from the 15th century to the present day, the gallery offers a stunning display of pieces by Scottish, British, and international artists, designers, and makers. With over 700 years of artwork under one roof, the Art Gallery is a must-see for anyone visiting Aberdeen. The Aberdeen Art Gallery exterior photo © Copyright Visit Scotland / Damien Shields History of the Aberdeen Art Gallery The idea for a public art gallery in Aberdeen began back in 1873 when flour merchant and art collector John Forbes White, alongside a group of local collectors, organised a public art exhibition. Their vision eventually led to the gallery’s establishment in 1885, housed in a beautiful neo-classical building designed by Alexander Marshall Mackenzie. This fine granite structure was later expanded in the 1920s to include the Cowdray Hall concert venue, the Remembrance Hall, and the striking Cenotaph – all of which were also designed by Mackenzie. Inside the Aberdeen Art Gallery photo © Copyright VisitScotland / Kenny Lam 2015-2019 redevelopment In the turn of the 21st century, like many older museums across the UK, the Aberdeen Art Gallery was in desperate need of investment. Being expanded and added to at different times over the years resulted in a poor and disjointed experience for visitors. Following a £34.6 million transformation focused making the gallery more welcoming, accessible and sustainable for future generations to enjoy, the Aberdeen Art Gallery reopened after a four-year closure in November 2019. Improving accessibility was a key priority during the renovations. As well as a lift which reaches all floors, the Art Gallery is home to one of the few Changing Places facilities in Aberdeen, hearing loops, large-print labels as well as interactive displays. Exploring displays in the Aberdeen Art Gallery photo © Copyright Aberdeen City Council (Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums) What to see inside the Aberdeen Art Gallery? Following the renovations, new exhibition spaces were created enabling the museum to almost triple the number of artworks displayed here. In 2015, the museum only had 370 pieces on display which as increased to 1,080 as of 2022. The Aberdeen Art Gallery’s collection spans centuries and styles, featuring works by Joan Eardley, the Scottish Colourists, Francis Bacon, Tracey Emin, Claude Monet and Barbara Hepworth. These collections are positioned throughout 19 distinct galleries – 8 more than the building displayed prior to the renovations – and these include imagined landscapes, people and portraits, art of empowerment, abstract art and much more. The terrace at the Aberdeen Art Gallery looks over to Union Terrace Gardens photo © Copyright Colin Smith and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence Other facilities at the Aberdeen Art Gallery Aside from its impressive exhibitions, the Aberdeen Art Gallery houses two cafes; one on the ground floor offering a breakfast and lunch menu, whilst the other is on the top floor serving only coffees and delicious homebakes. We recommend enjoying a coffee on the rooftop terrace to take in amazing views over the Granite City, as well as Union Terrace Gardens and the lively Belmont Street. There are also two shops within the Aberdeen Art Gallery, found on the ground floor and on level 2. The giftshops offer an ever-changing selection of locally made products such as books, cards, jewellery and other lovely keepsakes. For latest information about the Aberdeen Art Gallery, please visit: https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/AAGM/plan-your-visit/aberdeen-art-gallery Header image: Outside Aberdeen Art Gallery photo © Copyright Aberdeen City Council (Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums)
