Explore Melbourne’s blossoming art scene with a trip to these top free art galleries in the city.
Melbourne’s art scene is a thriving testament to the city’s unique culture and endless creativity, however with entertainment often costing a pretty penny, we wanted to put in the hard yards for you and roundup some top day trips that won’t break the bank. Here’s Hive Life’s top free art galleries and spots to explore all year round.
See also: An Insider’s Guide to Collingwood, Melbourne
Image courtesy of Anna Schwartz Gallery. Artist: Stephen Bram
Anna Schwartz Gallery
Well established across the art scene, Anna Schwartz has identified and cultivated the careers of visionary artists both in Australia and around the globe. The gallery represents a huge array of multi-generational artists in a wide variety of mediums, hosting regular exhibitions that make for a captivating and thought-provoking mosey around the gallery.
Address: 185 Flinders Lane Melbourne, VIC, 3000
State Library of Victoria
Not your average run of the mill library, State Library of Victoria is a unique venue hosting everything from events to exhibitions. Offering far more than just books, the Cowen Gallery showcases important Australian art, while the building hosts talks lectures and tours. There’s even an online gallery offering you the chance to wander through visual richness, ‘brought to life in these thematic online galleries.’
Address: 328 Swanston St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000
Image courtesy of NGV International via Facebook
NGV International
Possibly the most popular gallery in Victoria, NGV International boasts free entry and 70,000 works from all disciplines. You’re sure to catch grande, international exhibitions here, but don’t discount NGV-owned collections that showcase history and culture. Hop across to Fed Square and Ian Potter Centre to walk around its collections of colonial and contemporary Indigenous artworks.
Address: 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3006
Sutton Gallery
Small but mighty, Sutton Gallery features some of the best contemporary art in the city. Due to its small size it can only exhibit one artist at a time, however its more than worth pottering around on a lazy afternoon and taking in the view.
Address: 254 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, Melbourne, VIC, 3065
Image courtesy of Seventh Gallery via Facebook
Seventh Gallery
This non-for-profit gallery is run for artists by artists, showcasing contemporary talent of all ages and abilities. An ambitious gallery that has certainly only grown over time, you’re bound to see something new and exciting each time you visit.
Address: 155 Gertrude St, Fitzroy, Melbourne, VIC, 3065
