Art Galleries & Exhibitions

Art Galleries & Exhibitions

Edinburgh art galleries and exhibitions display the vibrant culture of the city beyond the famous annual festivals. Since 2004, Edinburgh Art Festival has taken place in July and August, but the city is also home to the venerable institutions of the Scottish National Gallery, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Royal Scottish Academy and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, which includes the Modern 2 (formerly the Dean Gallery) housing a large collection of Dada and Surrealist art.

Contemporary art is also represented by the many private and public galleries, including the Ingleby Gallery, Collective, Inverleith House, The Fruitmarket Gallery, and Stills, dubbed Scotland's Centre for Photography. Artist-run spaces include the Embassy Gallery, Rhubaba and Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop.

Edinburgh College of Art, founded in 1760, has a distinguished list of alumni including 2009 Turner Prize winner Richard Wright, members of Django Django and celebrated Pop artist Sir Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi, whose studio is recreated in the Modern 2. It is rumoured that a young Sean Connery used to life model there during his pre-stardom career as a milkman.

We’ve curated the best guide to Edinburgh art exhibition and gallery listings, featuring permanent exhibits, pop-up events and including both Scottish artists and international talent. If you’re organising an event or spot any information which needs listing or updating, let us know by contacting events@theskinny.co.uk with the event and venue details.