Discover Brisbane’s art galleries & museums
Perfect for a quiet afternoon or a rainy day, Brisbane’s museums and galleries offer a rich tapestry of art, history, and culture. There is no shortage of options scattered all throughout Brisbane and each venue promises a unique experience, set to captivate, and inspire everyone no matter your interests. It is time to find your creative haven away from the hustle and bustle.
Brisbane City
Tucked away in the city centre are three cultural and historical locations where you can spend your whole afternoon. From exclusive exhibitions, educational tours, and plenty of programs and events to keep the young ones occupied, there is so much on offer in these sanctuaries.
Housed in the iconic City Hall in the centre of Brisbane, the Museum of Brisbane (MoB) features comtemporary exhibitions from local artists, installations and workshops, as well as dedicated kid’s activities during the school holidays. At the MacArthur Museum and Queensland Holocaust Museum you can deepen your understanding of Brisbane’s history and the impacts of World War II.
South Brisbane
South Brisbane’s arts and culture precincts are buzzing with excitement. Creativity is sparked as modern and unique exhibitions come to Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA). Discover their ever-evolving roster of exclusive exhibitions from renowned local and international talent, including spotlights on First Nations and Indigenous artists. For a fun day out for the whole family, Queensland Museum delves into the stories of Queensland from prehistoric dinosaurs to interactive scientific fun for kids at the SparkLab and Sciencentre.
Fortitude Valley
Fortitude Valley being a well-known hub for all things, music, arts, and a space that celebrates individuality, it is the perfect home for Judith Wright Arts Centre which hosts a multitude of different art showcases, performances, and programs. Institute of Modern Art (IMA) and Outerspace are amongst the ten tenants who hold spaces in the centre exhibiting their creative expressions through imagery, dance, music and so much more. Just down the road, you’ll find Mitchell Fine Art, an modern gallery space where you can appreciate artistic works from Aboriginal contemporary artists.
Greater Brisbane
Stepping away from the standard galleries and museums, Greater Brisbane offers art that sits outside of the frame. Brisbane Opal Museum is a dedicated space celebrating the opal through education, preservation and showcases of the unique stone in Windsor. If you want an immersive history lesson, Wolston Farmhouse is Brisbane’s oldest surviving residential farmhouse, showcasing what a typical home in 1852 would look, feel and be like. Located in Banyo is the Brisbane Motor Museum, a one-of-a-kind museum featuring three-to-four-month rotating exhibits displaying all things motoring. Further west in Mount Coot-Tha is the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium where you can stargaze with Brisbane City as the backdrop and learn all about the stars and planets that feel a world away.
Regions
Brisbane’s regions don’t just offer scenic views - their rich sense of culture also brings about inimitable art. In Ipswich, you'll find Queensland Museum Rail Workshops, an interactive educational journey through the history of the railway in Brisbane, and Ipswich Art Gallery, a more traditional history museum and home to an ever-changing display of local exhibitions. Logan Art Gallery celebrates local and diverse talent through exhibitions, workshops and artist talks.
In the Moreton Bay Region, you’ll find the Old Petrie Town is a restored historic village that is home to four museums and a popular pop-up market location making for a great day trip!
Performing Arts
Performing arts is just as showstopping as still art and Brisbane has no shortage of venues dedicated to the art form. Backdock Arts, Superordinary, Metro Arts and Brisbane Powerhouse are four performing art venues that celebrate the art of movement, sound and all things extravagant. For a more interactive experience, Studio Maverick holds inclusive drawing workshops, visual art classes and more.
First Nations Art in Focus
With First Nations rich heritage and deep roots in the arts, there's so much to learn and understand through art works and cultural artefacts. Aboriginal Art Co. has a multi-purpose gallery, store, art studio and an outdoor courtyard. Delvene Cockatoo-Collins Art on North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah where Delvene, a Quandamooka woman has created art pieces that embodies her deep connection to country. Explore the island’s culture further at the If you’re interested in a tour, Blackcard tours takes you around Brisbane and educates you on the history of First Nations Peoples and Brisbane while highlighting artworks and cultural landmarks.
Public Art/Art Trails
If you start walking in and around Brisbane, you'll be sure to stumble across a public art installation. Whether you follow The Cities art trail or you venture down some of Brisbane’s most iconic laneways like Fish Lane, Irish Lane, Hutton Lane or Heritage Lane, you’ll spot an array of works from local talent. Keep your eyes peeled and you’ll also notice the colourful street art. With new murals commissioned and existing pieces updated yearly as part of Brisbane Street Art Festival, the city’s streets are anything but bland.
Be sure to get your arts and culture dose when you #VisitBrisbane as you visit these iconic museums, galleries and laneways.
