Cape Town Art Galleries

(Cape Town, Western Cape Province, South Africa)

A huge quantity of different art galleries reside within the city of Cape Town, housing both permanent and temporary collections, often with a noticeable South African theme. The South African National Gallery on Government Avenue is one of the most important of all the art galleries within Cape Town and boasts some true masterpieces by famous artists from the past.

Church Street contains a couple of very popular galleries, such as the Cape Gallery and also the Association for Visual Arts, the latter of which is operated purely on a non-profit basis. For reasonably priced modern art in Cape Town, pay a visit to the 3rd I Gallery on Waterkant Street and see if anything takes your fancy.

South African National Gallery

Address: Government Avenue, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa, ZA
Tel: +27 021 467 3970
The South African National Gallery is home to a fine permanent collection of works of art. The Dutch masters are well represented, as are the works of Flemish, African, South African, British and French masters. Contemporary pieces include exhibits of photography, textiles and architecture.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discount available for seniors and children between six and 18 years old, children five years old and under are free

Koopmans-De Wet House

Address: 35 Strand Street, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa, ZA
Tel: +27 021 481 3935
Thought to be South Africa's first private townhouse to be made accessible to the general public, visitors to the Koopmans-De Wet House of today can see for themselves what it would have been like to have lived here in the late 18th and 19th centuries. As well as furniture and paintings, the museum prides itself on a fine collection of ceramics, glass and silverware.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discount available for seniors and children between six and 18 years old, children five years old and under are free

3rd I Gallery

Address: 95 Waterkant Street, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa, ZA
Tel: +27 021 425 2266
The 3rd I Gallery is housed in a spacious warehouse dating from the 18th century, and tends to feature regular visiting exhibitions with a strong contemporary flavour. Located in the Bo Kaap area of the city and founded in 1992, the gallery alternates its works every two months, so there is usually something fresh to see displayed on the walls.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 13:00
Admission: free

The Cape Gallery

Address: 60 Church Street, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa, ZA
Tel: +27 021 423 5309
The Cape Gallery can be found within the very centre of the historical old city and is surrounded by some glorious buildings, which date from as far back as the 18th century. Exhibited here are many landscape paintings created by local South African artists. Trendy street art also makes a prominent appearance here, offering something quite different to enjoy.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:30 to 17:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 14:00
Admission: free

The AVA Gallery

Address: 35 Church Street, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa, ZA
Tel: +27 021 424 7436
The city's acclaimed Association for Visual Arts is often abbreviated to simply the 'AVA'. Each year, around 50 different art exhibitions are hosted here, several at a time, with the sole purpose of promoting local up-and-coming contemporary artists, who often debut their works in the gallery itself.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 13:00
Admission: free

State of the Art

Address: 61 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa, ZA
Tel: +27 021 801 4710
The artists whose works are exhibited at State of the Art have been selected by a panel of art professionals. This retail gallery displays a wide range of contemporary artwork whether it be abstract oil canvases, ink pencil and acrylic drawings, bronze sculptures or mixed media assemblages.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:30 to 17:00, Saturday - 09:30 to 14:00 or by appointment
Admission: free