Explore Cape Town’s creative scene and discover the cultural delights that await as contemporary art galleries showcase the diverse talent and engaging exhibitions that define the city’s artistic landscape.
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Here is an art lover’s guide to ten of the top Art Galleries in Cape Town:
1. Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
Centrally located in Cape Town’s city centre, the Zeitz MOCAA (Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa) proudly stands as a beacon of cultural significance. As a not-for-profit institution, it serves as a publicly accessible space dedicated to showcasing, conserving and researching contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora.
Since its opening to the public in 2017, the Zeitz MOCAA has solidified its position as a cornerstone of the African art scene. It has garnered a reputation as one of the most influential cultural institutions on the continent and beyond. Within its walls, visitors can explore a designated space for a permanent collection and independent gallery spaces featuring a rotating, temporary collection of contemporary art. This arrangement offers glimpses into the vibrant and ever-evolving world of African art.
The museum’s exhibitions are a celebration of contemporary African art, showcasing a diverse range of mediums, from paintings and sculptures to photography, video and performance art. A visit to the Zeitz MOCAA is an immersive journey through the vibrant tapestry of contemporary African art. Every aspect, from the intricate details of each artwork to the architectural marvel of the building itself, serves as a testament to the transformative power of art.
- Location: Silo District, South Arm Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
- Times: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm
- Cost: R230 | Children under 18 years old enter for free
- Contact: 087 350 4777 | [email protected]
- Gallery website: zeitzmocaa.museum
2. WHATIFTHEWORLD
WHATIFTHEWORLD is an intellectually stimulating environment that sparks creativity and sets minds in motion. Allowing for a collaborative environment for emerging artists and curators to produce impactful exhibitions and installations, the gallery’s showcases frequently feature artworks that challenge conventional norms and address significant social, cultural and political issues.
Encouraging introspection, the exhibitions rouse visitors to question and engage with the broader socio-cultural landscape.
- Location: 16 Buiten Street, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town
- Times: Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm | Friday, 9am to 4pm | Saturday, 9am to 1pm | Or by appointment
- Cost: Free entry
- Contact: 021 569 0680 | [email protected]
- Gallery website: whatiftheworld.com
3. Norval Foundation
Located in Cape Town’s Steenberg neighbourhood, adjacent to Table Mountain National Park, the Norval Foundation is a place where art and nature coexist in perfect harmony. Its building’s considered design allows visitors to move from indoor exhibitions to the lush sculpture garden, creating a continuous flow of creativity and inspiration. By combining contemporary African art with the surrounding natural environment, the Norval Foundation offers visitors a unique setting that heightens observation and appreciation, allowing them to immerse themselves in the beauty of both art and nature.
The Norval Foundation’s sculpture garden is an ongoing exhibition of three-dimensional and installation-based works by South African and African artists. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Western Cape, the garden is adorned with indigenous flora, which adds to its aesthetic appeal while also separating it from a protected Cape Lowland Freshwater Wetland site. The deliberate placement of the artwork encourages visitors to wander the garden in search of treasures.
A diverse collection of contemporary African art is displayed within the gallery’s indoor spaces. Exhibitions rotate, and the foundation frequently introduces new showcases, investigating various themes, artists and artistic practices.
Visitors can stay up-to-date on the latest showcases by visiting the Norval Foundation’s official website or contacting them directly.
- Location: 4 Steenberg Road, Tokai, Cape Town
- Times: Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm | Sunday, 10am to 4pm
- Cost: R180
- Contact: 087 654 5900 | [email protected]
- Gallery website: norvalfoundation.org
4. Southern Guild
Southern Guild exhibits functional art, contemporary fine art and collectable design. It displays exceptional craftsmanship while also blurring the lines between functionality and artistic expression. Each piece includes a narrative that is rooted in cultural heritage, social commentary or personal experiences, bringing social discourse to the forefront.
Southern Guild invites visitors to explore the intersection of art and design and to celebrate African artists’ boundless creativity.
- Location: Silo 5, Silo District, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
- Times: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm | Saturdays, 10am to 2pm
- Cost: Free entry
- Contact: 021 461 2856 | [email protected]
- Gallery website: southernguild.co.za
5. Goodman Gallery
Wade deeper into Cape Town’s contemporary art scene with a visit to the Goodman Gallery on Somerset Road. Housed in a former 19th-century convent, the gallery exhibits its collection amid stunning architectural features and a charming courtyard.
Since its establishment in 1966, Goodman Gallery has been at the forefront of representing artists who challenge established power structures and ignite social change, shaping the landscape of South African art. During the apartheid era, it provided a global platform for influential artists like Lisa Brice, David Goldblatt, William Kentridge, David Koloane, Sam Nhlengethwa and Sue Williamson, whose work continues to resonate and shape artistic expression.
Under the leadership of owner and director Liza Essers since 2008, Goodman Gallery has expanded its roster to include over 30 international artists, with a strong emphasis on voices from the African Diaspora and beyond. The gallery showcases established and emerging artists who fearlessly explore African and post-colonial contexts through its global programme, presenting thought-provoking creations.
- Location: 37A Somerset Road, De Waterkant
- Times: Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 5pm | Saturday, 9am to 4pm
- Cost: Free entry
- Contact: 021 462 7573 | [email protected]
- Gallery website: goodman-gallery.com
6. SMAC Gallery
SMAC Gallery promises an engaging and thought-provoking experience for all levels of art enthusiasts.
SMAC’s exhibitions, which feature a wide range of artistic mediums, serve as a platform for artists to express their perspectives and delve into pressing social and cultural issues, as well as a space for audiences to be prompted into their own discussion and reflection.
- Location: 1st floor of The Palms, 145 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock
- Times: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm | Saturday, 10am to 3pm
- Cost: Free entry
- Contact: 021 461 1029 | [email protected]
- Gallery website: smacgallery.com
7. The Iziko South African National Gallery
The Iziko South African National Gallery is Cape Town’s primary public art museum, housing an extensive assortment of historical, modern and contemporary artworks.
Exhibitions are in constant rotation, ensuring that the museum can consistently offer a dynamic schedule of temporary exhibitions that encompass paintings, works on paper, photography, sculpture, beadwork, textiles and architectural creations.
These exhibitions serve as windows into the diverse spectrum of artistic production in South Africa, across the African continent and even beyond its borders.
- Location: Government Avenue, Gardens, Cape Town
- Times: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm
- Cost: SA ID: Adults R40 | Children aged 5 to 18: R20 | Pensioners and students: R20 | Free entry on Fridays and on commemorative days
- Cost: Entry fees without SA ID: Adults: R60 | Children aged 5 to 18: R60 | Pensioners and Students: R60
- Contact: 021 481 3800 | [email protected]
- Gallery website: iziko.org.za
8. 99 Loop Gallery
99 Loop Gallery is a dynamic art space that collaborates with established and emerging artists. It serves as a platform for artists to express their perspectives and voices, amplifying diverse lived experiences.
Displaying works of all artistic mediums, the exhibitions create an intimate and engaging environment for visitors to connect with the art on a personal level while also exploring the cultural and aesthetic significance behind it.
- Location: 99 Loop Street | Corner of Loop and Church Street
- Times: Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm | Saturday, 1oam to 2pm
- Cost: Free entry
- Contact: 021 422 3766 | [email protected]
- Gallery website: 99loop.co.za
9. Stevenson
Stevenson Gallery is well-known in the contemporary art world, with locations in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Amsterdam. Exhibitions rotate every four to five weeks, exposing visitors to new and compelling artworks on a regular basis.
Stevenson’s distinctive collective ownership structure of 13 directors cultivates a wide range of perspectives and expertise, resulting in a truly heterogeneous collection of artists and artworks on display.
- Location: Buchanan Building | 160 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
- Times: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm | Saturday, 10am to 1pm
- Cost: Free entry
- Contact: 021 462 1500 | [email protected]
- Gallery website: stevenson.info
10. Rust-en-Vrede Gallery
Rust-en-Vrede Art Gallery highlights the creations of both well-established and up-and-coming artists.
Its primary gallery space comprises two rooms, known as Salon A and Salon B. There’s Salon C located in the entrance area, a more relaxed setting primarily reserved for intimate solo or group exhibitions. These exhibitions are refreshed on a monthly basis and are open to the public at no cost.
If artists aspire to showcase their work at Rust-en-Vrede, they are encouraged to submit their pieces along with a brief proposal to the gallery management for consideration.
- Location: 10 Wellington Road, Durbanville, Cape Town
- Times: Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm | Saturday, 9am to 1pm
- Cost: Free entry
- Contact: 068 457 8589 | [email protected]
- Gallery website: rust-en-vrede.com
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Picture: Zeitz MOCAA / Facebook
