Expand your mind and be inspired by the best art galleries Sydney has to offer.
Do the imaginings of the world’s avant-garde creatives stir you? Or is it the masterstrokes of decades and centuries past that get you thinking? Whatever your poison, the art galleries Sydney has to offer provide food for thought. From ancient works to rival relics found in the best Sydney museums to hole-in-the-wall spaces overflowing with fresh ideas, there’s no shortage of Sydney art galleries to fall deeply in love with.
1. Art Gallery of New South Wales
Best for: International art and the famed Archibald Prize.
No list of the city’s finest art galleries can neglect the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the marvels occupying its walls. The grand space is so monumental they went and named the street it sits on after it.
Head to the Art Gallery of New South Wales for your culture fix. (Image: Karla Dickens)
Ticking over its 150th birthday in 2021, the Sydney art gallery is home to a wonderous collection of works spanning 15th-century European Renaissance, centuries-old ceramics and British Victorian art to contemporary pieces and photographs out of Australia and the rest of the world.
Wander the halls of the gallery to spot an impressive collection of works.
Its thickest crowds flock annually when the Archibald Prize is unveiled to celebrate the country’s most captivating portraiture and often most recognisable faces. And while the art is outstanding, there’s also the historic sandstone structure itself and its expansive floors to delight in, plus a children’s library and special events for little ones.
The installation of Louise Bourgeois Maman at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. (Image: Felicity Jenkins)
Opening hours: 10am to 5pm daily and 10am to 10pm on Wednesday.
Address: Art Gallery Road, Domain, Sydney
2. Sydney Modern Project
Best for: Modernist art and one incredible architectural feat.
You see that modern masterpiece hanging off the Art Gallery of New South Wales? To expand its reach even further, the original structure was added to in 2022, creating the Sydney Modern Project (also known as the Art Gallery’s North Building) after a decade (and millions) spent planning and constructing.
Sydney Modern Project features a new building designed by Pritzker prize-winning architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa / SANAA. (Image: Iwan Baan)
Inside, you’ll find both historical and contemporary pieces from all over the globe, an abundance of Indigenous art and a dark and gloomy reclaimed underground fuel bunker from World War II on the bottom level. And outside? An art garden overlooks Sydney Harbour and connects to the original building, reminding us of the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ grandeur all over again.
The newly revitalised building brings together art, architecture and landscape. (Image: Iwan Baan)
Opening hours: 10am to 5pm daily and 10am to 10pm on Wednesday.
Address: Art Gallery Road, Domain, Sydney
3. Sydney Made Art & Design Markets
Best for: Crafters and shoppers.
It’s not a gallery as such but there’s a wealth of creative minds spinning their magic at the Sydney Made Art & Design Markets. Staged inside the Sydney Town Hall, this celebration of locally grown makers invites the city’s finest hobbyists and small businesses to spruik their handiworks irregularly throughout the year.
Purchase a range of handmade works at Sydney Made Art & Design Markets. (Image: Emma Silwanis)
Check their website for the next instalment. Expect rows of stalls showcasing everything from homewares and jewellery to illustrations, sculptures, photographs, paintings and more. Just walking around the site is gorgeous given you’re immersing yourself in one of the city’s most renowned heritage-listed buildings.
Expect rows of stalls showcasing various wares. (Image: Emma Silwanis)
Opening hours: Typically, 10am to 5pm but be sure to check the website for up-to-date details and scheduling.
Address: Sydney Town Hall, 483 George Street, Sydney
4. Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
Best for: Modern art enthusiasts.
A haven for lovers of contemporary art in all its forms, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia oozes cool from the moment you step inside. It’s minimalistic and stark yet the vibe is warm and the art is beyond inspiring.
Step inside the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and prepare to be inspired. (Image: Tourism Australia)
The original stand-alone sandstone building was expanded in 2012 by architect Sam Marshall who popped a five-storey wing onto the harbour-facing section of the gallery — an outstanding achievement as it is hypnotising. Inside, there’s more than 4,500 works from living creators and over a third of them are crafted by First Nations artists.
MCA Collection: Eight Artists, earth pigments on stringy bark at Museum of Contemporary Art. (Image: Ken Leanfore)
Opening hours: 10am to 5pm Wednesday to Monday and 10am to 9pm on Friday. Closed Tuesday.
Address: 140 George Street, The Rocks
5. Carriageworks
Best for: Contemporary fans who enjoy outside-the-box thinking.
Constructed in the 1800s as part of the Eveleigh Railways Workshops, Carriageworks once saw carriages and locomotives coming through its grounds in search of repairs and maintenance. Fast forward to today and the Sydney art gallery has retained its industrial vibes to house some of the world’s boldest artistic works.
A contemporary multi-arts space that showcases visual and performing arts in addition to more traditional forms, Carriageworks boasts a group of residents who breathe life into the historical space every day. It also puts on a pretty incredible weekly farmers’ markets, one of the best Sydney markets to explore.
Drop by the weekly Carriageworks Market and check out the multi-arts space.
Opening hours: 10am to 5pm, Wednesday to Sunday.
Address: 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh
6. Sydney Contemporary
Best for: Finding an emerging artist to obsess over.
While we’re talking Carriageworks, Sydney Contemporary also deserves a mention for gathering the world’s most prestigious contemporary artists in one venue. An annual art fair staged over four days at Carriageworks with its 2024 dates announced as September 5 to September 8, Sydney Contemporary is the place to be to discover daring creative brains.
Expect multi-faceted installations, experimental performances and works, discussion panels, bold sculptures, photography and so much more from over 500 artists. If you’ve got the coin, it’s also an incredible opportunity to invest in the world’s next superstars. There’s also super cool bars and eateries to explore so spend the day and get carried away.
Unleash your love for art at Sydney Contemporary. (Image: Destination NSW; Sydney Contemporary)
Opening hours: Visit the website closer to the date for details.
Address: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh
7. Blender Gallery
Best for: Photographs with a Rock’n’roll edge.
Paying tribute to music photography from all over the world, Blender Gallery is captivating no matter when you stop by. Showcasing some of the music world’s most iconic moments, achievements and characters, the Sydney art gallery boasts special ties with the global music community, gaining access to stuff you’ve probably never seen before — even if you are a die-hard fan. Think candid shots of Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Led Zeplin, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Prince and other legends.
Opening hours: 11am to 3pm Saturday and visits by appointment Monday to Friday.
Address: 682 Bourke Street, Redfern
8. Darren Knight Gallery
Best for: Thought-provoking contemporary art.
A Sydney art gallery with impressive ties to global art institutes, the Darren Knight Gallery consists of two exhibition spaces constantly filled with ambitious works.
Sunset Clause Installation by Natalie Thomas.
Spanning solo and group exhibitions, the space is typically filled rather sparsely by Mr Knight, a prolific art dealer who has served as the subject of an Archibald portrait entry in the past, allowing visitors to slow down and savour every piece.
A painting by Paul K Williams at Darren Knight Gallery.
However, the gallery is obviously a blank canvas so there’s no guarantee that’s what you’ll experience when you visit. Sculptures, photographs, paintings, drawings… all mediums are represented in this arresting place.
Visit the first exhibition of Dunedin-based artist Kushana Bush at the Darren Knight Gallery.
Opening hours: 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday.
Address: 840 Elizabeth Street, Waterloo
9. NAS Galleries
Best for: Discovering Australia’s next artistic sensations.
It’s more widely recognised for its work in producing tertiary-level artists, but the National Art School is also home to NAS Galleries where some of the country’s emerging stars hone their craft. Sure, there’s great Aussie solo and group exhibitions to stickybeak but this is the place to spy the next-gen before they hit the big time as end-of-year Graduate Exhibitions display the stuff of students annually. The Sydney art gallery grew in 2021, adding a dedicated Drawing Gallery to its repertoire.
Marvel at the artistic bodies of work on display in NAS Galleries.
Opening hours: 11am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.
Address: 156 Forbes Street, Darlinghurst
10. Chalk Horse
Best for: Contemporary works from across the globe.
A glossy, all-white interior means business at Chalk Horse, a Sydney art gallery that strives to shine a light on Australian artists at a global level. More often than not, spectacular strokes and sculptures bring vivid life to its walls as contemporary talents are exhibited in striking fashion. What was once an artist-run gallery is now commercial so you can expect to see some wonderful international artistry in addition to local names.
Opening hours: 10am to 5pm, Wednesday to Saturday and 10am to 3pm Sunday.
Address: 167 William Street, Darlinghurst
11. China Heights Gallery
Best for: Contemporary art including punchy graphic design.
There’s always something very cool going on at China Heights Gallery, whether it’s a mind-boggling graphic design or a totally transfixing sculpture hellbent on upturning traditional thinking.
The Clare Wigney exhibition at China Heights Gallery.
The Sydney art gallery celebrates the works of emerging artists straight out of their studies as well as more established identities pushing the envelope around the globe. Come for a single exhibitionist, stay for absolutely every other piece.
The Regina Bartsch exhibition at China Heights Gallery.
Opening hours: 12pm to 5pm, Thursday to Sunday.
Address: 16/28 Foster Street, Surry Hills
12. Brett Whiteley Studio
Best for: Getting inside the mind of Australia’s creative genius.
Once the workplace and home to one of the country’s most successful artists, the Brett Whiteley Studio is one of the art world’s most sacred spaces within Australia.
Get inside the creative mind of Brett Whiteley at his studio.
Belonging to Brett Whiteley, who passed away in 1992, the Studio pays tribute to the multi award-winning painter by conserving unfinished works, his furniture, photographs, reference books and a famed graffiti wall that gathered all sorts of inspirational material. This Sydney art gallery presents a fascinating peek into a truly gifted creative icon.
Inside you’ll find photographs and a famed graffiti wall.
Opening hours: 10am to 4pm, Thursday to Sunday.
Address: 2 Raper Street, Surry Hills.
13. Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery
Best for: A glimpse into the city’s elite eastern suburbs art circles.
A long-time supporter of Sydney’s contemporary artists and Australia’s wider arts community, the Rosyln Oxley9 Gallery has housed some of our most successful exports. Bill Henson, Tracey Moffatt, David Noonan and Fiona Hall are just a handful of the big names this Sydney art gallery has nurtured.
Admire the works of Sydney contemporary artworks at Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery.
In addition to its own exhibits, it has also featured within some of the world’s most prestigious art fairs. You can expect highly acclaimed work whenever you’re stopping by, plus crowds of locals who live and breathe this beloved space.
Check out some of the world’s most prestigious artworks.
Opening hours: 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Friday and 11am to 6pm Saturday.
Address: 8 Soudan Lane, Paddington
14. Cement Fondu
Best for: Visual arts with intense heart.
What a name, huh? As wacky as it sounds, Cement Fondu summarises the essence of this Sydney art gallery beautifully — an evolving artistic space bounded by a solid structure.
Get lost in the whimsical artistic space at Cement Fondu.
Visual arts is the order of the day with a constant rotation of performance, music and dance by local and international artists flowing through its doors. Expect to be spellbound by whatever performance you witness.
Find an array of art memorabilia at the Cement Fondu Art Store.
Opening hours: 11am to 5pm, Thursday to Sunday.
Address: 36 Gosbell Street, Paddington
15. Olsen Gallery
Best for: A celebration of Australia through the eyes of visionaries.
The late John Olsen, one of the country’s most significant artists renowned for his abstract landscape paintings, is the hero of Olsen Gallery’s incredible collection of works. His son Tim Olsen is the man behind the gallery and his mission is to showcase excellent Australian contemporary art. The space is light-filled and glorious, playing host to travelling exhibitions as well as book launches and other events including a visit by Jamie Oliver many years ago, who this writer watched as he cooked paella to breathe life into John Olsen’s brilliant ‘Culinaria’ exhibition. Just another day in this remarkable Sydney art gallery.
Opening hours: 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 5pm Saturday.
Address: 63 Jersey Road, Woollahra
16. Campbelltown Arts Centre
Best for: Escaping the city in search of inspiration.
Located well away from the central arts hub of Sydney, the Campbelltown Arts Centre is worth travelling out of town for. Commissioning new works that stir fresh ways of thinking and deep discussion of universal themes, this Sydney art gallery is an inspiring place. Paintings, contemporary visual arts, dance, music, immersive activities — there’s no boundaries this space won’t break down. Plus, there’s a ridiculously beautiful cafe set in Japanese-inspired gardens to further ponder everything on display.
Opening hours: 10am to 4pm daily.
Address: 1 Art Gallery Road, Campbelltown
