Artsy Adventures: Must-See Art Galleries in Adelaide
Adelaide’s creativity knows no bounds, as evidenced by its awesome art galleries! Whether it’s MOD.’s futuristic magnum opuses or APY Gallery’s Indigenous installations, our city is a living canvas of artistry that’ll hook eyes and shift perspectives.
Don’t know where to start or scouring the net for particulars? Follow this artsy guide to the city’s best galleries!
MOD.
Address: Bradley Building, North Terrace, adjacent to Morphett St, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8302 6663
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Fri – 10 am to 5 pm
- Sat to Sun – Closed
The future arrived early at MOD., a cutting-edge museum with exhibits for art, innovation, and science enthusiasts ages 15 to 25.
From January to November 2024, visitors aren’t simply spectators but active participants in the gallery’s real-time interactive displays. Our favorite is Terra Nil, an artistic project that lets you transform a bleak digital painting into a stunning ecosystem.
Some exhibits also answer a few of our what-ifs regarding the future through abstract installations representing possible scenarios, from better tomorrows to dire ones.
| Tip: Stay updated on MOD.’s upcoming events. These include workshops, forums, and even comedy shows! |
Art Gallery of South Australia
Address: North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8207 7000
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 5 pm
With 5 floors of artistic mementos capturing the dawn of life and rooms serving as treasure troves of Aboriginal art, the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA) stands as a beacon of creativity and heritage.
In April 2024, the spotlight shines on the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize, a contest/exhibit dating back to 2002. The display features awe-inspiring celestial canvases and intricate salt-and-silk textile creations that intertwine science and art.
Moreover, until July 2024, you can check Misty Mountain. This captivating showcase spearheaded by revered artists will transport you to the ethereal beauty of the Japanese landscape—perfect for those seeking Zen-inducing paintings.
| Tip: If you want to score paintings or sculptures but can’t swing by AGSA, consider browsing their online gallery store. |
Samstag Museum of Art
Address: Hawke Building, City West campus, 55 North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8302 0870
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Sat – 10 am to 5 pm
- Sun – Closed
Boundary-breaking and expectation-shattering contemporary art reign supreme at the Samstag Museum of Art.
Exhibits here enchant and boggle the mind, like Bruce Nuske’s display of ceramic pieces (March 1 to May 10, 2024).
His works blend intricate designs with a touch of whimsy while still highlighting the time-honored style of Chinoiserie, Japanese ceramics, and more.
Dana Awartani’s exhibit (March 1 to May 10, 2024) will blow your mind too. Awartani’s collection challenges conventional views of Arab visual culture, breathing new life into traditional crafts through mixed-media installations.
| Tip: Are you an artist looking for a scholarship? Check Samstag Museum of Art’s scholarships for potential admission to an international institution. |
Royal South Australian Society of Arts
Address: Institute Building, Level 1, corner Kintore Avenue, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8232 0450
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 1:30 pm to 10:30 pm
- Sat to Fri – 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
The bustling North Terrace is made more beautiful by the Royal South Australian Society of Arts (RSASA), the OG of Aussie art societies since 1856.
RSASA is a heavyweight when it comes to showcasing the talent of South Australian artists, with around a dozen exhibitions rocking the scene each year.
There’s no specific painting style or era highlighted here. Stroll through the gallery, and you’ll spot all types of artwork, from still life, abstract, landscape, surrealist, and beyond.
| Tips: If you think you have an award-winning work, join one or two of RSASA’s competitions. In addition, apply for membership if you want perks like quarterly magazines and the chance to hold your own exhibit. |
Adelaide Festival Theater
Address: King William Rd, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8216 8600
Often called “the heart of arts in South Australia,” the Adelaide Festival Theater is where the magic happens.
Their gallery is a hub of year-round programs and free exhibitions, displaying paintings, photos, installations, and sculptures made by local, national, and international artists.
On display until late April of 2024 are two must-see exhibits. There’s the world of caricatures celebrating Barry Humphries’ lifetime of work and a display teeming with First Nations art, with masterpieces from artists like Julie Dowling and Uncle Reg Dodd.
| Tip: If you’re attending an exhibit or performance, the Adelaide Festival Center suggests minimizing queues and congestion by arriving no more than 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. |
Adelaide College of the Arts – Light Square Gallery
Address: 0/39 Light Square, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8463 5000
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 9 am to 5 pm
- Sat to Sun – Closed
The Light Square Gallery is one of the reasons why contemporary art is massive and thriving in Adelaide.
Whether you’re a seasoned art aficionado or just dipping your toes into the scene, there’s something here for everyone to admire, from miniature landscape paintings and impressionist photos to surreal pots and street art.
Budding artists of various disciplines are also welcome to submit their masterpieces here.
| Tip: Stay updated on any events, workshops, or artist talks hosted by the gallery. Their Instagram is the go-to spot for the latest news and announcements. |
Urban Cow Studio
Address: 10 Vaughan Pl, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: +61 8 8232 6126
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 11 am to 5 pm
- Sun – Closed
Selling and displaying pieces from over 150 artists since the 90s, Urban Cow Studio has been a long-time game-changer in the city’s art scene.
The action goes down in the upstairs gallery where the main exhibition takes center stage, kicking off with a bang on the first Wednesday of every month.
Drop by, and you’ll be treated to a feast for the eyes with paintings and sketches covering a wide range of themes, from the magic of metamorphosis to the beauty of nature and all things pop culture.
| Tip: Browse the gallery’s online store. Beyond artwork, you can peruse merch like hoodies and tees, which are usually on sale. |
APY Gallery
Address: 57/59 George St, Thebarton, SA 5031
Contact Details: (08) 8212 4743
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Fri – 10 am to 5 pm
- Sat to Sun – Closed
Don’t call yourself a hardcore collector or lover of Aboriginal art if you’ve never popped by APY Gallery.
The gallery flaunts a diverse range of Aboriginal artwork, from paintings to ceramics and everything in between. You can take home some with prices running from $2,000 to $6,000.
Moreover, visitors can browse Punu and Tjanpi pieces, two traditional Aboriginal art forms that are as fascinating as they’re beautiful. Punu focuses on wood carving, while Tjanpi involves creating intricately woven sculptures from natural materials
| Tip: You’ll enjoy free delivery within Australia if you order from the gallery’s online store. |
The David Roche Foundation
Address: 241 Melbourne St, North Adelaide, SA 5006
Contact Details: (08) 8267 3677
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Sat – 10 am to 4 pm
- Sun – Closed
We were spellbound the moment we entered the David Roche Foundation where the gallery brims with European art spanning two centuries. Instant attention-grabbers are the rococo of France and the Faberge jewelry from Russia.
The real showstopper for our team, though, is The Fabric of War exhibit, exclusive to Adelaide until May 2024. Featuring quilting masterpieces made from 18th and 19th-century military uniforms, it’s a unique glimpse into military history and fashion.
Oh, and you should also mark your calendars because Dr. Annette Gero will be giving a lecture on April 18, 2024, diving into the extraordinary stories behind textile treasures, from royal marriages to wars of independence.
| Tip: Bookings are a must, and making reservations online is the most convenient way to do it. |
Carclew
Address: Kaurna Country, 11 Jeffcott St, North Adelaide, SA 5006
Contact Details: (08) 8267 5111
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 9 am to 5 pm
- Sat to Sun – Closed
The Federation-style Carclew is art by itself, but its yearly Foyer Exhibition ups the ante.
Some of the standouts are the works of Billie Nøhr whose art is a vibrant blend of recurring motifs, bold lines, and striking color palettes.
And if that’s not enough to capture your imagination, check out the mind-bending creations of Miles Dunne. This visionary artist seamlessly merges technology, design, and installation to craft immersive experiences that redefine the boundaries of art.
| Tips: Limited on-site parking is accessible at Carclew House for renters outside of business hours. Additionally, abundant free on-street parking is available on Jeffcott St and Strangways Tce. |
FELTspace
Address: 12 Compton St, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details:
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – Closed
- Wed to Thu – 1 pm to 4 pm
- Fri – 1 pm to 7 pm
- Sat – 10 am to 4 pm
- Sun – Closed
FELTspace is a gallery where emerging and experimental art grabs the limelight. And trust us, they’re not afraid to get a little wild with their selections.
You can feast your eyes on Chun Yin Rainbow Chan’s “As Far Away As Heaven From Earth” (March 27 to April 20, 2024), an immersive installation that combines silk paintings, weaving, and sound to explore themes of family and tradition.
Plus, there’s the permanent exhibit of Melanie Cooper’s “Wrack Line” where she delves into the mysterious world of sea debris and its ecological significance through experimental textiles and drawings.
| Tip: If you’re considering submitting an exhibition proposal, FELTspace is open to solo or group exhibitions that highlight contemporary art practice. |
The Mill Adelaide
Address: 154 Angas St, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: 0451 892 815
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Fri – 10 am to 4 pm
- Sat to Sun – Closed
Boasting 57 artist studios, 2 galleries, a performing arts space, and more, The Mill Adelaide is an undeniable creative powerhouse.
They have 2 killer exhibitions on deck as of April 2024. First up is “Riot on an Empty Street” by Chris Siu, a collection of powerful snaps that capture the turmoil and tension of mass civil unrest in Hong Kong.
“Multiverse” by Liliana Pasalic is also a jaw-dropper. The artist skillfully incorporates 3D tufting techniques, positive and negative spacing, and light-based styles in her installations.
| Tip: You can hire The Mill Adelaide’s intimate performance venue for rehearsals, developments, and small-scale events, accommodating audiences of up to 80 people standing or 50 seated. |
Adelaide Town Hall’s First Floor Gallery
Address: 128 King William St, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8203 7590
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 9 am to 5 pm
- Sun to Sat – Closed
It’s not just bureaucratic chatter at the Adelaide Town Hall; you can also indulge in artistry in its First Floor Gallery.
We loved “Kinetic Structures,” running from January 19 to April 5, 2024. This head-turner into the world of kinetic architecture explores how human movement intersects with our contemporary built environment.
Lasting until Jue 28, 2024, “Veale’s Vision” is also noteworthy. The visionary designs of John Veale, whose work revitalized the South Park Lands, are in full display here.
| Tip: To reach the Adelaide Town Hall easily, use public transportation like buses from across the city and trams at Pirie Street, or walk 10 minutes from Adelaide Railway Station. |
