The best art galleries in Brisbane

The Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) is one of Australia's most exciting and respected creative precincts. The complex spans two buildings, idyllically located by the water in South Bank, Brisbane. While the Queensland Art Gallery has been residing at this location since 1982, the gallery itself actually dates back to 1895. The Gallery of Modern Art annex was opened in 2006 and these days the two galleries house an impressive permanent collection – in addition to hosting regular temporary exhibitions. Since 1993, QAGOMA has also been hosting the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, which draws around three million visitors through the doors. QAGOMA is easy to get to by bus or train and has cafés and lovely, grassy areas for lunch breaks nearby. Grab a bite from the GOMA kiosk and make friends with the many water dragon lizards who like to lounge around by the river. 

Woolloongabba Art Gallery has been shining a light on contemporary art from across the Australasia since 2004. With three gallery spaces, and a diverse range of early career and established artists on its books, Woolloongabba Art Gallery is dedicated to the exhibition and sale of contemporary works, and to furthering the dialogue for a multicultural Australia. Importantly, Woolloongabba Art Gallery sources all works for Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander exhibitions only from 100 per cent owned and operated arts centres (the team also continues to foster stong relationships with remote communities). For those who are looking to start their art collections, the gallery's two directors have over 50 years experience between them and are happy to provide art consultancy services for the novices right through to serious collectors.

The number and history of Brisbane's contemporary arts institutions is quite staggering and this one, in the Valley, has a 45-year history of supporting, nurturing and spotlighting contemporary Australian art practice. Artists to have exhibited here include Hany Armanious, Kate Parker, Robert MacPherson, Fred Williams, Imants Tillers, Luke Roberts, Mike Parr, Gordon Bennett, Mikala Dwyer, Shaun Gladwell, Angelica Mesiti, Chicks on Speed and Brook Andrew – to name a tiny, tiny few. The IMA has occupied a few different buildings over the years and it's currently the centrepiece of the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, which opened in 2001. There are several different exhibition spaces here hosting up to five shows at once; the main entrance to the IMA is on Berwick Street and the IMA Belltower can be reached via the elevator.

UQ Art Museum is home to the University of Queensland's collection of more than 4,400 artworks dating back as far as Australia's colonial period. That's not to say the collection, nor the museum are static. UQ Art Museum regularly seeks out new contemporary Austalian works (especially those that explore contemporaneous issues) while the changing roster of exhibitions seeks to positively influence society. Unsurprisingly, you'll find UQ Art Museum at the UQ campus, inside the James and Mary Emelia Mayne Centre (named after the sibling philanthropists).

While technically a museum, the MoB has a big emphasis on fine art, with plenty of fun stuff for kids too, in a lively series of curated exhibitions throughout the year. In contrast to the 90-year-old heritage building it resides in, Museum of Brisbane is a contemporary space featuring five galleries – explore on your own, or book in for one of its tours. You can even take a free tour up to the very top of the clock tower, which was at one time the tallest building in Brisbane. Image: detail from Gordon Hookey poster installation.

The results of an extraordinary $60 million development opened in May 2021. HOTA Gallery is a world-class fine art gallery housed in a six-level facility designed by ARM Architects – a mulitcoloured high-rise building visible from kilometres away that in turn enjoys 360 degree views of the Gold Coast region.  The gallery features a 1,000m2 level 1 special exhibition space for touring shows, a children's activity zone as well as four levels of permanent exhibition space showing an entertaining and vibrant selection of Australian contemporary art. The collection is not a comprehensive survey but rather follows a number of themes. It's strong in 1970s abstraction, ceramics (through the International Gold Coast Ceramic Art Award), photography (through the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award) and Indigenous art. Naturally, there is a strain of art inspired by the Gold Coast itself. 

Located upstairs at West End's laneway eatery the Burrow, this gallery supports the creative growth of Brisbane by providing a creative space for local visual atists of all levels. It's a great way to get eyes on your work if you're the crafty sort, as the gallery displays artworks including (but not limited to) paintings on canvas, drawings, sculpture, photography, murals, contemporary craft and jewellery, and is open to the public. Most of the artworks are available for sale – so if something catches your eye during a post-lunch gander, chances are you can make it yours to keep. The Burrow Art Gallery is host to all sorts of arty happenings, with twice-weekly workshops and various exhibitions and events. Look out for the gallery's exhibition opening night events – food and drinks from the downstairs restaurant plus live music and art make these nights go with a swing.

Sitting opposite the Botanic Gardens, QUT Art Museum presents contemporary art exhibitions from the Queensland University of Technology's sizeable collection of 3,000 objects dating back as far as 1945 (the museum itself was not opened until 2000). One of the gallery's major drawcards is that entry is always free, so it's a great way to get a taste of Brisbane's vibrant arts scene on a budget. Before leaving, make sure you check out the neighbouring William Robinson Gallery, which is dedicated to Australian landscape artist of the same name.