What the City Art Centre is
The City Art Centre is an art gallery at Market Street in central Edinburgh. The guide gives its address as 1–6 Market Street; it is also listed as 2 Market Street. The Centre is adjacent to, and opposite, Waverley Station, close to the Royal Mile and Princes Street (edinburgh.org).
It houses Edinburgh’s municipal art collection, with Scottish painting, printmaking and photography from the 17th century to today. Its programme includes exhibitions of historic and contemporary art, family activities and educational workshops (edinburgh.org; whatsoninedinburgh.co.uk).
General admission is free, although some special exhibitions and events require tickets. The Centre has accessible facilities and is close to public transport (edinburghmuseums.org.uk; uktravelplanning.com).
History and architecture
The Centre occupies a 19th-century Victorian fruit warehouse. Its red sandstone exterior and expansive windows were preserved when the building was converted into a gallery in 1980, adapting a historic urban space for cultural use (edinburghnews.scotsman.com).
Funding for the conversion came from resources initially earmarked for a Scottish Assembly and redirected after the 1979 devolution referendum. The result was a flexible, multi-level venue for local and international art events.
Since opening in 1980, the Centre has combined temporary exhibitions with displays of Edinburgh’s permanent art collection. Early blockbusters included the “Gold of the Pharaohs” Tutankhamun show. The building has six floors, accessible by lift and escalator, with space for painting, sculpture, photography and craft (edinburgh.org).
What to see
Permanent collections
The nationally recognised Scottish art collection spans the 17th century to the present. It includes the Colourists—Peploe, Cadell, Fergusson and Hunter—the Glasgow Boys, and modern artists such as Anne Redpath and John Bellany (whatsoninedinburgh.co.uk).
The collections also include historic and modern photography, design and decorative arts, including ceramics, glass and textiles by Scottish and international artists. A public archive documents exhibition history and the Centre’s role in promoting Scottish art (edinburghmuseums.org.uk).
Temporary and rotating exhibitions
The 2025 programme includes “Out of Chaos: Post-War Scottish Art 1945–2000”, exploring changes in Scottish art after the Second World War, and “John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture”, a retrospective of more than 80 works, some never previously displayed publicly (edinburgh.gov.uk).
Other programme highlights include Michael Fullerton’s solo show and Mona Yoo’s site-specific residency, which bring contemporary practice into dialogue with the building’s architectural heritage (theedinburghreporter.co.uk).
The June 2025 highlights listed in the guide are:
- “Disrupting the Narrative” — contemporary mixed media.
- “Nurture Through Nature with Children’s Books” — family-friendly work focused on nature and illustration.
- “Out of Chaos: Post-War Scottish Art 1945–2000” — a survey of post-war Scottish art (whatsoninedinburgh.co.uk).
- “John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture” — chronological self-portraits.
- “Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture” — 400 years of portraiture.
- Michael Fullerton — contemporary portraiture.
- “Wellbeing in the City” — artworks celebrating Edinburgh’s urban and green spaces.
Past exhibitions have included Egyptian and Roman artefacts, Star Wars film art and costumes, historic and modern photography, and exhibitions about architecture and Edinburgh’s built environment (whatsoninedinburgh.co.uk).
Family activities and facilities
The ArtSpace on the lower ground floor offers interactive activities for children and families. The Centre also runs artist talks, workshops, guided tours and family activities for visitors of all ages (edinburgh.org; whatsoninedinburgh.co.uk). Its artist-in-residence scheme includes Mona Yoo’s 2025 project (edinburgh.gov.uk).
On-site facilities include a café serving Scottish fare, a gift shop with art books and local crafts, and comfortable seating areas. The Centre also has accessible toilets and baby-changing facilities.
Practical visiting information
Opening hours
- Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
- Last entry: 4:30 PM
- Closed on certain public holidays.
Check the official website for updates.
Tickets
General admission is free, and no booking is required for general admission. Some special exhibitions and events require tickets; these can be booked online or at the Centre. Check the website for ticket details.
Location and transport
The Centre is at 1–6 Market Street, also listed as 2 Market Street, next to and opposite Waverley Station. It is close to the Royal Mile and Princes Street, and accessible by bus, tram and taxi. There are major bus and tram stops nearby, while city-centre parking is limited.
Accessibility
The Centre is fully wheelchair accessible, with lifts and escalators to all floors. It has accessible toilets and baby-changing facilities; wheelchairs are available on request, and staff are available to assist. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Tips for visiting
- Check the exhibition schedule before your visit.
- Allow 1.5–2 hours for a visit.
- General admission does not require booking, but special exhibitions may.
- Weekday mornings and off-peak months—May–June and September–October—are suggested for fewer crowds (uktravelplanning.com).
- Check the photography policy for each exhibition.
- The café and shop are on site, and families can visit ArtSpace.
- The Centre uses recycling and energy-efficient lighting and supports local artists and suppliers. Visitors are encouraged to arrive by public transport or on foot (edinburgh.org).
- Regular cleaning, visible staff, clear signage and CCTV are in place.
- The guide also recommends downloading the Audiala app and following the Centre on social media for updates.
Nearby places
Nearby attractions listed as within walking distance include:
- Edinburgh Castle
- The Royal Mile
- St Giles’ Cathedral
- Scottish National Gallery
Frequently asked questions
What are the City Art Centre’s opening hours?
Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM; Sunday, 12:00 PM–5:00 PM. Last entry is at 4:30 PM.
How much do tickets cost?
General admission is free. Some special exhibitions and events require tickets.
Is the Centre wheelchair accessible?
Yes. All floors are accessible by lift and escalator. Accessible toilets are available, wheelchairs can be requested, and assistance dogs are welcome.
Where is the City Art Centre?
It is at 1–6 Market Street, also listed as 2 Market Street, next to and opposite Waverley Station and close to the Royal Mile.
Are there on-site amenities?
The Centre has a café, gift shop, accessible toilets, baby-changing facilities and seating areas.
