A culture-seekers guide to Brisbane’s best art galleries and museums

Brisbane is a mecca for art lovers and culture-seekers of all ages, with everything from world-class exhibitions and fine-art showcases to fascinating museums that feed your curious mind with history. There are surprises to be found around every corner – you just need to know where to look.

Put your cultural foot forward and make your way to Brisbane’s best art galleries and museums with this handy guide.

QAGOMA

Follow the pulse to Brisbane’s cultural heart, South Bank, and experience the wonder of the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA).

Perched between the State Library of Queensland and the Brisbane River, QAGOMA is home to a staggering 20,000-piece artwork collection, and captures the minds of all ages with its ever-changing calendar of captivating experiences, globally renowned exhibitions and interactive events.

QAGOMA runs a dedicated Children’s Arts Centre, an ongoing film-screening program (Australian Cinémathèque) and regularly tours its exhibitions and workshops across regional Queensland areas.

Ready to go? This guide will help you nail your QAGOMA visit. Pro tip: If the taste buds are also craving creativity, experience a collision of food and art at GOMA Restaurant, one of Brisbane’s top fine-dining spots.

At QAGOMA, all areas and experiences are accessible, and there are a range of free inclusive tours that can be customised to suit visitor needs.

Institute of Modern Art

Bolstering the city’s contemporary art scene, the Institute of Modern Art (IMA) in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley showcases a thrilling annual program of exhibitions alongside a jam-packed series of events and workshops, screenings, talks and performances.

Located within the Judith Wright Arts Centre, visitors can check out cutting-edge exhibitions in the free public art gallery from Tuesday to Saturday. For a five-star experience, pre-book a guided exhibition tour before you go – and be sure to allocate some time to lose yourself amid the art books and unique gifts at the Gallery Shop.

IMA’s gallery is accessible for all abilities and ages, with an easy ground-floor entrance.

Queensland Museum

Whether you geek out on prehistoric times or the modern day, you’ll be captivated as soon as you set foot in Queensland Museum.

Located right near QAGOMA and QPAC, the impressive four-level museum preserves and shares Queensland’s natural history, cultural heritage and generation-defining stories through blockbuster exhibitions, educational experiences and a stacked calendar of interesting events.

The kids can also ignite their curious minds at SparkLab, an interactive space designed to bring out their inner scientist.

Queensland Museum has all-abilities access and facilities, and sensory kits and noise-cancelling headphones are available to visitors.

Aboriginal Art Co

Neighbouring South Bank’s Fish Lane precinct, Aboriginal Art Co is one spot you’ll want to carve out some time for. The unique multi-purpose gallery, retail space and studio is designed to promote and connect visitors to authentic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, products and experiences.

With an aim of reshaping Brisbane’s (and its visitors) relationship with Indigenous art and culture, Aboriginal Art Co displays authentic artwork by local First Nations artists in The Vault gallery – an ongoing program to showcase talent and stories. The gallery is joined by a boutique retail offering of quality artworks, prints, sculptures, gifts, wearable art and more.

Aboriginal Art Co also operates a virtual gallery on its website, so you can visit again and again, and even purchase pieces from the online store.

Ipswich Art Gallery

If these walls could talk! Located in a beautifully restored heritage-listed building in the Ipswich CBD (fun fact: it’s the city’s original town hall) the Ipswich Art Gallery boasts a collection of more than 2,000 works and heritage displays.

The gallery also rolls out a dynamic series of meaningful exhibitions and workshops across the year, created for both museum regulars and new audiences. Visiting with kids? Fun and engaging programs run in the interactive Children’s Gallery space – be sure to check the gallery website to see what’s on.

Ipswich Art Gallery is fully wheelchair and pram accessible, with internal lift access to the upper level.

Queensland Maritime Museum

On the southern end of the Brisbane River, the Queensland Maritime Museum (one of Australia’s largest maritime museums) celebrates and safeguards the maritime heritage of Queensland with dynamic and interactive displays, historic collections and intriguing tales that’ll really float your boat.

You’ll be blown away when you walk through the museum dry docks, the resting place of storied vessels like WW2 ship, HMAS Diamantina, as well as Ella’s Pink Lady – the majestic 34-footer that Jessica Watson solo-sailed into the history books.

The family-friendly museum is located just off the South Bank Parklands, so there’s plenty to see, eat and do before and after you visit.

QUT Art Museum

From the Brisbane CBD, a short stroll through the tranquil City Botanic Gardens will take you to QUT’s Garden Point Precinct – the home of the QUT Art Museum.

If contemporary art is your jam, you’re in the right place. Along with exciting internally curated exhibitions and intriguing events for your viewing pleasure, the QUT Art Museum also holds a prominent collection of more than 3,000 objects and artworks, including paintings, sculptures and ceramics, mostly by Australian artists.

The museum is fully accessible to all visitors. Need some extra support? The QUT Art Museum website guides you through sensory, social and audio assistance with handy maps and how-tos.

Museum of Brisbane

No matter what your Brisbane itinerary entails, a visit to Museum of Brisbane (MoB) is a must! Located on the top floor of the striking City Hall in the heart of the CBD, MoB brings Brisbane’s vibrant culture and history to life with a regular line-up of major exhibitions, inspiring installations, interactive events and kid’s programs.

As the keeper of Brisbane’s stories, there is so much to see, do and learn here for all ages. The best way to dip your toes in is to book a spot on the popular MoB tours, which explore City Hall and the museum highlights, as well the surrounding city areas.

MoB runs Quiet Afternoon sessions each week that ensure a gentle museum experience, with further sensory and social support information available on its website

Jan Murphy Gallery

Since 1995, Jan Murphy Gallery has treated art lovers to a carefully curated showcase of contemporary art across a range of mediums. Step inside the Fortitude Valley gallery and the friendly, knowledgeable team will walk you through the current exhibition, which showcases Australian and international contemporary artists.

The exhibitions rotate regularly, and there’s aways an exciting body of work on its way, so repeat visits are required!

Gracing Brunswick Street, Jan Murphy Gallery is easily accessible by public transport or car – plus you’re in the thick of the action with plenty of places to eat and stay nearby.

Mitchell Fine Art

Mitchell Fine Art is a must-visit for art enthusiasts and those with a keen eye for contemporary art and an appreciation for unique Aboriginal artwork.

The Fortitude Valley space will capture your interest with its collection of high-calibre pieces from Australia’s leading Aboriginal and contemporary artists, displayed alongside an enticing annual calendar of both group and solo exhibitions.

Mitchell Fine Art offers plenty of on-site parking – and it’s just a stone’s throw from the boutique shops, cafes and restaurants that line the popular James Street.