Liverpool is full of art galleries, art events, pop-ups, and festivals that celebrate both local and international artists.
For a comprehensive list of what’s going on in Liverpool’s art world, check out our events calendar so you’re an in-the-know Liverpool art lover.
And if you just want to peruse the best art galleries in Liverpool at your leisure, here’s a list of the top art galleries to visit in and around the city.
The Bluecoat
This landmark building has been home to year-round exhibitions, music, dance, literature, live art, and heritage events since 1908. Since then, The Bluecoat has continued to grow with Liverpool’s cultural and creative scene, and currently provides a base for around 30 artists. With a commitment to equality, diversity, and sustainability, The Bluecoat drives artists to always be creative, inclusive, and supportive. As a bonus, it creates a centre for us all to enjoy contemporary arts.
FACT – Foundation for Art and Creative Technology
Just turning 15 years old, this cinema and gallery is, in fact, a leader in visual arts. It strives to support local visual and media-based artists who are passionate about technology. The location offers space for video and new (sometimes experimental) media, creating a platform for many UK artists to explore.
Kirkby Gallery
Kirkby Gallery is a great example of how to work within a community, as it hosts the Knowsley’s Annual Open Exhibitions, in collaboration with local schools and community projects. Other events such as Liverpool Biennial and Pan-Merseyside projects connect this gallery to the city centre. Why not see what’s on? If you have time, you can also sign up for a variety of art courses and workshops.
The Lady Lever Art Gallery
A grand focal point in the picturesque village of Port Sunlight, this gallery is named after Lady Elizabeth Lever, the wife of Lord William Lever, a Victorian-era entrepreneur who founded the village to house his factory workers. Its collection boasts some of the 19th century’s most decorative arts. Selected by Lord Lever for exhibits at the gallery, it is still considered to have some, if not the best works displayed to the public from his own art collection.
Metal Culture
An idea originally tried and tested in London, it was also realised in Liverpool in 2004. Taking unloved derelict spaces, once of historical significance – in this case, the iconic buildings of Edge Hill Station – and turning them into much-loved art hubs with the help of resident artists and local communities, the hope is that these hubs and artists can create a great catalyst for creativity and positive change within the area. Metal Culture is also home to studios and start-up businesses.
Open Eye Gallery
Open Eye Gallery is an independent, not-for-profit gallery that works with people to explore and celebrate diversity and creativity through photography. The founders believe photography is for everyone, putting socially engaged photography practice at the heart of the Liverpool community. It has become one of the UK’s leading photography spaces, presenting an international programme, as well as local and national exhibitions. The space offers a variety of workshops, talks, and evening events while becoming home to a permanent archive of diverse photographs.
Tate Liverpool
This location lives up to the Tate name and reputation, and brings many famous artworks to the North West to be enjoyed by all. The Tate Liverpool is home to the work of internationally renowned artists of the 20th and 21st century. Curating modern and contemporary art to paint a picture of both UK and international historical art movements, the Tate Liverpool houses an outstanding collection as well as hosts fantastic travelling exhibitions, talks, and collections by celebrated curators and artists on a global scale.
The Royal Standard
Working with 45 artists, The Royal Standard is an artist-led gallery, studio complex, and registered charity. Its main aim is to offer opportunities for recent graduates and emerging artists and provide affordable studio space, free public exhibitions, events, and training. There are officially five project spaces, but the venue mainly focused on creating a dynamic hub for contemporary art within Northern Lights in the Baltic area of Liverpool. This gallery lies somewhere between the city’s grassroots DIY initiatives and the more established arts institutions.
Walker Art Gallery
This is one of few art galleries that manages to seamlessly mix paintings, sculpture, and decorative art starting from the 13th century to the present day. It is home to contemporary art – including work by David Hockney, Lucian Freud, and Bridget Riley – as well as a collection of winning paintings from the John Moores Painting Prize and more traditional pieces from Renaissance masters, Tudor portraits, and Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite collections. There is something for every art lover, old and young.
Williamson Art Gallery
Williamson Art Gallery is one of the Wirral’s hidden gems and reason enough to hop over the Mersey for a visit. Funded by the philanthropist John Williamson, a director of the Cunard Steamship Company Ltd, this splendid building opened its doors in 1928. The elegant venue now provides space for masterpieces, ceramics, sculptures, and the largest public collection of Della Robbia pottery in the UK.
Victoria Gallery
The Victoria Gallery & Museum is run by the University of Liverpool. The building itself is a beautiful, classic red brick Liverpool building and boasts many stunning weddings. The exhibitions range from the weird (false teeth) to the wonderful, and it is definitely worth a visit.
OUTPUT
Supported by Arts Council England, with help from Bluecoats, LJMU, and Liverpool Irish Festival. This gallery has managed to support exhibitions exclusively created by local artists. While running local events, social, clubs and group crits, to strengthen and become the heart of the Liverpool art scene.
Liverpool Art Galleries — Which Will You Visit?
As you can see, Liverpool offers such a wide variety of art, which caters to any taste, from contemporary and avant-garde, to traditional and timeless.
With so much art at your fingertips in Liverpool, this is a perfect way to spend a romantic date, escape the rain, or spend a weekend afternoon brunch meetup with the gang, at the many art galleries in Liverpool.
