Gallery of Modern Art

About the museum

The building in the city centre began in 1778 as the townhouse of William Cunninghame, a Glasgow tobacco merchant whose wealth came from the slave trade. The Royal Bank of Scotland bought it in 1817, and David Hamilton rebuilt it between 1827 and 1832 as the Royal Exchange, adding a Corinthian portico, a cupola and a large rear hall. The gallery itself acknowledges that the building was paid for with money earned through slavery.

In the middle of the twentieth century the building was bought by Glasgow District Libraries, and Stirling's Library was housed there. After the library moved out, the building was refurbished and opened in 1996 as the Gallery of Modern Art, home to the city's contemporary art collection. Niki de Saint Phalle was commissioned to make the mirrored mosaic Tympanum for the entrance.

The displays focus on art made after 1945, with a particular interest in artists based in Glasgow. From 2000 Glasgow Museums began collecting work by recent Turner Prize winners and by artists who represented Scotland or the UK at the Venice Biennale. The gallery shows permanent collection displays alongside temporary exhibitions, and COMMONSpace in Gallery 2 presents projects made by community groups together with artists.

Highlights

• Tympanum, Niki de Saint Phalle's mirrored mosaic above the entrance
• Old Money by James Rigler, a sculpture about the building's history
• DAD, a neon work by Rabiya Choudhry
• Art from after 1945, including works by Douglas Gordon and Barbara Kruger
• COMMONSpace, community and artist projects in Gallery 2

Permanent exhibitions

• Tympanum by Niki de Saint Phalle – A triangular mirror mosaic above the entrance, commissioned for the gallery in 1996.
• Old Money by James Rigler – A sculpture that reflects on the history of the building and the privilege it represents.
• DAD by Rabiya Choudhry – A neon work named after the artist's father that refers to the neon signs of local shops.

Founded

1996

Operated by

Glasgow Life (Glasgow Museums)

Visitors per year

approx. 576,689 (2019)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free entry. Donations are welcome at the gallery or online.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

An accessible toilet is on the lower ground floor. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome and water bowls can be provided. A British Sign Language introduction to the gallery is available online. The AccessAble and Euan's Guide access guides describe a ramped, step-free route into the building and a public lift serving all levels, and list a portable hearing system, a manual wheelchair to borrow and a quiet space.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

A weekly Saturday Art Club runs until 19 December 2026, and Glasgow Museums runs a youth group based at the gallery. Baby changing and baby feeding facilities are listed.

Getting there & parking

The museum recommends planning journeys with Traveline Scotland.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

The café is open during gallery opening hours and serves hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and snacks, and a separate coffee shop offers drinks and light bites. A gallery shop sells items inspired by the collection. Free Wi-Fi and a prayer room are listed. Baby changing and baby feeding facilities are listed.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit