Pier Arts Centre

About the museum

The Pier Arts Centre in Stromness opened in 1979 to house a collection of modern British art given by the writer and peace campaigner Margaret Gardiner. She first came to Orkney in the 1950s and later turned an old quayside building into a home for her paintings and sculpture.

The collection now holds more than 180 works, grouped around Modernism and covering the period from 1929 to the present day. It includes pieces by Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson and Alfred Wallis, later additions by artists such as Sean Scully, Eva Rothschild and Olafur Eliasson, and works by Orcadian artists including Stanley Cursiter, Margaret Tait and Sylvia Wishart. The collection is recognised as nationally significant for Scotland, and the centre is a partner of Tate.

The centre reopened in July 2007 after a major redevelopment that added a new building on one of the town’s piers beside the older waterfront buildings. The new building won the RIAS Andrew Doolan Award for the best building in Scotland in 2007. Alongside the permanent collection, the centre runs changing exhibitions throughout the year, keeps a library and archive open to the public, and offers education and outreach activities for groups of all ages.

Highlights

• Collection of more than 180 works of Modernism, begun with the Margaret Gardiner gift
• Works by Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson and Alfred Wallis
• Contemporary pieces by Sean Scully, Eva Rothschild and Olafur Eliasson
• Art by Orcadian artists such as Stanley Cursiter and Sylvia Wishart
• Award-winning building on the Stromness waterfront

Permanent exhibition

• The Collection – Modern and contemporary art from 1929 to the present day, including works by Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson and Alfred Wallis and by Orcadian artists.

Founded

1979

Operated by

Pier Arts Centre (Scottish registered charity)

Director

Neil Firth

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

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

A lift serves all floors of the gallery and there are accessible toilets on each floor. The entrance door is not automatic: visitors who need help can knock on the glass door and a member of staff will assist. Visitors with additional access needs are asked to contact the centre in advance. Sanitising stations are available throughout the building.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The gallery stands on Victoria Street, the main street of Stromness.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check: not available

There is no cloakroom, but a coat rack is available and belongings are left at the visitor’s own risk.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit