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The City Art Centre is an impressive nine-storey former warehouse located in the heart of Edinburgh. Originally constructed between 1899 and 1902, it was converted into gallery use in 1980. As well as mounting a busy programme of temporary exhibitions, it houses the City of Edinburgh's nationally recognised collection of Scottish art. With over 4,500 works, it includes paintings by the majority of Scotland's greatest artists from the seventeenth century onwards, including Allan Ramsay, Sir Henry Raeburn, William McTaggart, The Scottish Colourists, and Joan Eardley, as well as a fine collection of contemporary Scottish art.

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Address and contact

2 Market Street, Edinburgh EH1 1DE Scotland

0131 5293993

The City Art Centre houses the City of Edinburgh's fine art collection and is a major venue for temporary exhibitions. Admission is normally free except for special exhibitions. Paintings not on show can be viewed by appointment.

http://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk

Not every artwork is on display – if you would like to see a particular work, contact the venue before your visit

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council has another 1,268 artworks

Finding La Serenissima: Charles H. Mackie in Venice
Helen Scott
Write on Art: 'Terpsichore' by Maud Sulter
Nilla Feron Clark
Down the quiet path: rediscovering Adam Bruce Thomson
Helen Scott

Showcase

Reflections: The light and life of John Henry Lorimer (1856-1936) - Front of House Choices
16 artworks curated by Margaret Findlay, Learning & Public Programmes Manager
Storyline

Charles H. Mackie: Colour and Light (15 May – 10 October 2021)
12 artworks curated by Helen Scott, Curator of Art, City Art Centre
Showcase

Art Unlocked: City Art Centre
5 artworks curated by Helen Scott, Curator of Art, City Art Centre
Storyline

Out of Chaos: Post-War Scottish Art 1945 - 2000 (17 May 2025 – 19 April 2026)
15 artworks curated by Helen Scott, Curator of Art, City Art Centre
Showcase

Inked Up: Printmaking in Scotland (14 September 2024 – 1 June 2025)
13 artworks curated by Helen Scott, Curator of Art, City Art Centre
Storyline

Adam Bruce Thomson: The Quiet Path (11 May – 6 October 2024)
15 artworks curated by Helen Scott, Curator of Art, City Art Centre
Showcase

Shifting Vistas: 250 Years of Scottish Landscape (24 June 2023 – 2 June 2024)
15 artworks curated by Helen Scott, Curator of Art, City Art Centre
Showcase

National Treasure: The Scottish Modern Arts Association (21 May - 16 October 2022)
15 artworks curated by Helen Scott, Curator of Art, City Art Centre
Showcase

Incoming: New Acquisitions at the City Art Centre (2 October 2021 - 28 May 2023)
15 artworks curated by Helen Scott, Curator of Art, City Art Centre
Storyline

Bright Shadows: Scottish Art in the 1920s (12 September 2020 - 27 June 2021)
15 artworks curated by Helen Scott, Curator of Art, City Art Centre

Gifted: New Acquisitions at the City Art Centre
City Art Centre

12 September 2026 – 6 June 2027
Jean F. Watson: An Artistic Legacy
City Art Centre

16 May – 4 October 2026