City Art Centre is a free-entry gallery at 2 Market Street, beside Edinburgh Waverley station. Its changing programme ranges from historic and contemporary Scottish painting and photography to sculpture, prints and craft, so the mix depends on what is showing during your visit. The spacious galleries are spread across several floors, with exhibitions that can include traditional works, photography and contemporary artists. Allow time to check more than one floor, then browse the ground-floor shop for zines and prints. Some special exhibitions may charge admission.
A former warehouse beside Waverley
City Art Centre occupies a former warehouse on Market Street, next to Edinburgh Waverley station. Its location makes it easy to add to a day in the Old Town or New Town, particularly if you are arriving by train. The gallery is part of Museums & Galleries Edinburgh, the city’s public museums and galleries network.
The building’s gallery spaces are arranged over multiple floors. Exhibition routes can take you through different parts of the programme, and the layout has been described as spacious and easy to follow. A lift is available, and the entrance, lift and toilets are wheelchair accessible. The arrangement and access to particular spaces can depend on what is open, so check the current exhibition information if you have specific access needs.
Scottish art, from historic work to new exhibitions
The centre holds a collection of Scottish art, including historic and modern painting and photography, as well as contemporary art and craft. Works in the collection include painting, sculpture, photography and print. The collection is larger than what can be displayed at one time, and the gallery also presents temporary exhibitions that change over time.
That rotating programme means there is no single permanent display to expect on every visit. Past exhibitions have included work by Scottish artists and group presentations, alongside shows exploring specific themes and media. Exhibitions have also brought together historic material and contemporary work, so check what is currently on before choosing a date. The programme may include several exhibitions during the same visit, sometimes on different floors.
How to plan your visit
General admission is free, although some special exhibitions may charge. If you are planning around a particular show, confirm its admission arrangements in advance. The centre is open daily, and its published hours run from 10am to 5pm. The gallery has a ground-floor café and a shop where you may find items such as zines and prints.
Weekdays may suit visitors hoping for a quieter experience. Give yourself time to look through the different exhibition spaces rather than stopping at the first gallery you reach. Some visitors have noted that lighting can affect the way particular works appear, and viewing conditions may differ between rooms. If you use a wheelchair, one exhibition report noted that the height of some works and wall text made viewing awkward; access to individual displays can therefore be worth checking ahead.
Perguntas frequentes
Is City Art Centre free to enter?
General admission is free. Some special exhibitions may charge an entry fee.
Where is City Art Centre?
It is at 2 Market Street, beside Edinburgh Waverley station.
Is City Art Centre wheelchair accessible?
The entrance, lift and toilets are wheelchair accessible. The layout of some displays may make viewing less comfortable, so check access details for the exhibition you plan to see.
What kind of art is shown at City Art Centre?
The programme includes historic and contemporary Scottish art, with painting, photography, sculpture, prints and craft. Exhibitions change over time.
