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Although Auld Reekie is known for its rich history, Edinburgh has a bustling contemporary art scene. From national institutions to smaller, more specialised galleries, fans of 20th-and 21st- Century artwork are spoiled for choice.
National Galleries Scotland Modern One & Two
One of the most popular venues for contemporary art in the city is the National Galleries Scotland’s Modern Galleries. Located over two buildings situated in a leafy sculpture park, Modern One and Modern Two are home to a range of art by key figures such as Grayson Perry, Alasdair Gray and Tracey Emin. This year, Modern One launched ARTIST ROOMS featuring Louise Bourgeois, Helen Chadwick and Robert Mapplethorpe. Bourgeois’ three-metre-high spider sculpture is a key highlight. Photography fans must also check out Steve McQueen’s Resistance exhibition, exploring the relationship between photography and activism, which is on display until 4 January 2026.
The Royal Scottish Academy
RSA champions visual art and architecture from emerging Scottish artists. Founded by artists in 1826, the independent institution promotes Scottish creativity to a global audience. Their Annual Exhibition is a key event in Edinburgh’s cultural calendar and captures the essence of Scottish art over the past twelve months. New work by Glasgow-based artist Toby Paterson is being exhibited for the first time in the UK, which explores the spaces we inhabit. The organisation will also celebrate its 200th Anniversary in 2026 with an exciting range of exhibitions, rehangs of existing collections and performances.
Toby Paterson’s A Short Guide to Towns without a Past is on display at RSA from 24 October-23 November 2025.
Fruitmarket
A key creative hub for contemporary art in Edinburgh, Fruitmarket hosts a wide range of exhibitions, talks and performances. It showcases contemporary art across a range of media including sculpture and performance art. Fruitmarket will host an eclectic range of exhibitions this year, including interactive apps, painting and sculpture. Night Walk for Edinburgh is an app which takes participants on a guided walk through famous Edinburgh streets. Adam Barker-Mill’s PhotoSynthesis 2 featured a series of simple but thought-provoking sculptures which explored the properties of light. Wilding premieres the paintings and sculptures of Jaune Quick-to-See Smith in Scotland for the first time, whose work explores land stewardship in America and Scotland.
Wilding is on display from 7 November-1 February 2026.
City Art Centre
Fans of Scottish contemporary art in particular must visit City Art Centre. Located in a nine-storey warehouse opposite Waverley train station, the gallery displays a large collection of Scottish artworks from the past and present. It is currently displaying Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture. This exhibition showcases a number of contemporary portraits in various mediums including printmaking and sculpture, and explores the different styles and cultural meanings of the artform throughout the last century. A solo exhibition of contemporary painter and printmaker Michael Fullerton will also launch on 22 November 2025.
Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture is on display from 13 September – 31 May 2026.
Michael Fullerton will be displayed from 22 November 2025 – 1 March 2026.
Stills: Centre of Photography
Photography enthusiasts should not miss Stills. Situated on Cockburn Street, the small gallery and event space focuses on all types of photographic art. Stills hosts three exhibitions per year alongside artist talks and book launches, where it aims to celebrate the work of emerging photographers. Their newest exhibition, V4: Repository by Felicity Hammond, is the fourth part of a large-scale photography project which explores AI, image-making and surveillance politics. The venue also features Scotland’s only analogue photobooth, allowing visitors to make their own artistic souvenir.
V4: Repository is on display at Stills from 7 November 2025 – 7 February 2026.
Dovecot Studios
Dovecot Studios, which can be found in Edinburgh’s New Town, is a working tapestry studio and exhibition space which showcases all things fabric. It features a tapestry studio viewing balcony, where visitors can experience the production of textile art first-hand. The art venue will host two major shows celebrating contemporary textile design over the next twelve months. Ikea Museum’s Magical Patterns is on display until 17 January 2026, which explores the creative history of the retailer and features over 180 bold and colourful fabric designs. Dovecot will also host The Biba Story:1964-1975, exploring the history of the fashion brand, from 6 February 2026 – 27 June 2026.
Edinburgh College of Art
The ECA’s Annual Degree Show celebrates the creative talents of their most recent graduates, highlighting the portfolios of up-and-coming artists, fashion designers and photographers. A wide variety of artwork is displayed across the University Campus for one week alongside catwalk shows and film screenings. Online portfolios of the 2025 graduates can be found on ECA’s website, and viewers can search by creative disciplines or themes such as ecology. The College also runs a range of public events for those who want to broaden their knowledge of contemporary art, such as their Monday Lecture series.
Edinburgh Art Festival
During the Edinburgh Fringe, the UK’s biggest annual celebration of visual art is held in Edinburgh. Founded in 2004, Edinburgh Art Festival celebrates diversity, intersectional art and community engagement in Edinburgh and beyond. Festival-led commissions are exhibited across the city. There is also a year-round Civic programme outside of the festival which encourages artistic resistance and collaborates with contemporary artists from under-represented groups.
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