Gallery of Modern Art

Over het 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.

Hoogtepunten

• 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

Vaste collectie

• 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.

Opgericht

1996

Beheerder

Glasgow Life (Glasgow Museums)

Bezoekers per jaar

ca. 576.689 (2019)

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

De toegang is gratis.

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

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: geen informatie
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

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.

Kinderen & gezin

• Verschoonruimte

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.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The museum recommends planning journeys with Traveline Scotland.

Service & horeca

• Café
• Museumwinkel
• Wifi

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.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd.

Je bezoek plannen