Get Cultured at These Unique Brisbane Art Galleries
Brisbane may have been easily overlooked in the past, but the city has rapidly evolved to become one of the country’s top cultural hubs, with an abundance of art galleries, inspiring street art and outdoor sculptures and installations.
Whether you like your art classic or contemporary, local or international, discover our round-up of the best Brisbane art galleries.
Image credit: Tourism Australia
Jan Murphy Gallery
Located on trendy Brunswick Street in Fortitude Valley, Jan Murphy Gallery is an art-lovers haven, with three exhibition spaces showcasing the contemporary works of local and interstate artists, both emerging and established. The gallery first opened in 1995 and has since become a leading Australian art gallery with an impressive roster of solo exhibitions and curated projects with artists' talks, collector events and an art consultancy service to help you find that perfect piece.Location: 486 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, Queensland, 4006
Mitchell Fine Art
Take a stroll down the road from Jan Murphy Gallery and you’ll find Mitchell Fine Art, another top Brisbane art gallery. Gallery director, Mike Mitchell, has worked alongside some of Australia’s most celebrated Indigenous artists, curating exhibitions in Australia and around the globe. Within this modern gallery space, you’ll find the works of some of Australia’s leading Aboriginal and contemporary artists including Ann Thompson, Jeff Makin, Margaret Loy Pula, Min Woo Bang and Mirra Whale.Location: 86 Arthur St, Fortitude Valley, Queensland, 4006
Philip Bacon Gallery
Philip Bacon Gallery, also located in Brisbane's popular gallery district in Fortitude Valley, is known for its exhibitions showcasing some of the country's most collectable, twentieth-century and contemporary artworks created by the likes of Rick Amor, Cressida Campbell and Peter Churcher. First opening its doors in 1974, Philip Bacon Gallery is a stalwart of the Brisbane art scene with five exhibition spaces and one of the most impressive stockrooms in town.
Location: 2 Arthur St, Fortitude Valley, Queensland, 4006
QAGOMA
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QACOMA in South Brisbane delivers a double serving of culture with two galleries, Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, located in two neighbouring buildings on Kurilpa Point. A must on any art tour of Brisbane, QAGOMA is home to over 20,000 artworks in every possible medium created by Indigenous, Australian and international artists. QAGOMA is also home to the Children's Art Centre, filled with interactive artworks for the kids and the Australian Cinémathèque, which celebrates films from around the globe, providing the perfect rainy day escape with fun for the whole family.
Location: Stanley Pl, South Brisbane, Queensland, 4101
Edwina Corlette Gallery
To keep your finger on the pulse of the country’s best emerging artists, Edwina Corlette Gallery in Fortitude Valley is another top stop on your art tour of Brisbane. The gallery supports a select group of contemporary artists, covering a range of mediums, including painting, sculpture and installation, with an annual program of group and solo exhibitions, collaborations and artist talks to inspire and ignite conversations within the art community.
Location: 629 Brunswick St, New Farm QLD 4005
QUT Art Gallery
Sitting beside the City Botanic Gardens in QUT's Gardens Point Campus is QUT Art Gallery, one of Brisbane's premier visual art galleries with an impressive collection of contemporary works and a packed calendar of curated exhibitions, commissioned projects and touring exhibitions. Landscape art lovers can also hop across to the nearby William Robinson Gallery, which features a display of works by Australia's pre-eminent landscape artist, William Robinson.
Location: U Queensland University of Technology 2, George St, Brisbane City, Queensland, 4000
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Judith Wright Arts Centre
In the heart of Fortitude Valley, the Judith Wright Arts Centre (JWAC) is where Brisbane's creative energy comes to life. Hosting everything from contemporary dance to live music and spoken word, it's home to some of the city's most exciting arts organisations like the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts and Australasian Dance Collective. After a recent refresh in 2020, JWAC now features a new gallery space, digital art projections, and more places for artists to collaborate. It's the perfect spot to dive into the vibrant arts scene Fortitude Valley is famous for.
Location: 420 Brunswick St & Cnr, Berwick St, Fortitude Valley, Queensland, 4006
Brisbane Powerhouse
Originally a 1920s power station, Brisbane Powerhouse has become one of Queensland's top destinations for contemporary arts and culture. Sitting along the Brisbane River, this vibrant venue hosts over 1000 performances and events each year, spanning theatre, music, comedy, visual arts, and festivals like the Brisbane Comedy Festival and Night Feast. With two main stage theatres, intimate performance spaces, gallery areas, and three onsite restaurants, the Powerhouse has become a cultural hub boasting some of the best river views in the city.
Location: 119 Lamington St, New Farm, Queensland, 4005
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Woolloongabba Art Gallery
Established in 2004, Woolloongabba Art Gallery has become a leading independent art space in Brisbane. The gallery showcases a diverse range of contemporary works across three exhibition spaces, featuring local and Australasian artists. This Brisbane gallery has a strong focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, sourced directly from Indigenous-owned centres. With a wide range of mediums, from sculpture to photography, the gallery plays a key role in promoting cultural dialogue and has placed works in major collections across Australia and internationally.
Location: 613 Stanley St, Woolloongabba, Queensland, 4102
Metro Arts
Nestled in West End's lively West Village precinct, Metro Arts has been a key player in Brisbane's contemporary arts scene for over 40 years. Offering cutting-edge galleries, studios, and performance spaces, it's a place where artists can experiment and create across visual arts, theatre, music, and more. Committed to supporting emerging talent, Metro Arts ensures that bold, innovative art continues to thrive and inspire in Brisbane.
Location: 97 Boundary Street, West End, Brisbane, Queensland, 4101
Institute of Modern Art
Located within the Judith Wright Arts Centre in Fortitude Valley, the Institute of Modern Art (IMA) has been a cornerstone of Brisbane’s contemporary art scene since 1975. As Australia’s oldest independent public gallery, IMA is known for its daring exhibitions and innovative projects that connect local artists with global conversations. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or just curious, IMA offers a unique space for creativity, experimentation, and thought-provoking ideas, making it a must-visit for anyone exploring Brisbane’s art scene.
Location: 420 Brunswick St & Cnr, Berwick St, Fortitude Valley, Queensland, 4006
Where to stay in Brisbane?
Located less than 10 minutes from Brisbane’s gallery precinct and other cultural highlights, Crystalbrook Vincent, inspired by acclaimed Australian artist Vincent Fantauzzo, is the perfect place to stay and explore the city’s plethora of art galleries. The artistically-inspired luxury hotel, adorned with over 500 Fantauzzo prints, features 5-star accommodation, sustainable amenities and a glamorous rooftop bar overlooking the Howard Smith Wharves precinct.
Image Credit: Kara Hamilton