Art Galleries in Cape Town
Cape Town is a great destination for art lovers, hosting many exciting and established art galleries and museums.
Whether you are looking to browse or buy, for pure pleasure or edification, Cape Town has a dynamic creative scene, with several flourishing fine art and design academies, as well as a rich tradition of producing significant art.
Old masters
The South African National Gallery is one of the country’s most important art museums, and displays important collections of South African and European work.
The Irma Stern Museum celebrates the life and work of one of Cape Town’s most famous 20th century artists. The museum is situated in the artist’s former home in the suburb of Mowbray.
The University of Cape Town’s Michaelis School of Fine art houses a permanent collection of old masters, as well as exhibiting new work. It’s worth checking the Michaelis website to see what’s on.
The new wave
The suburb of Woodstock has become an important hub of the contemporary art scene. The work of big names in contemporary South African art, plus a host of promising new talent, can be seen at galleries like Michael Stevenson Gallery and the Goodman Gallery.
City art scene
There are also several excellent galleries in the city centre. The João Ferreira Gallery on Hout Street, displays work by artists from Cape Town and abroad.
The Everard Read, near the V&A Waterfront, features South African old masters and contemporary work as well as international art.
A gift from Africa
Visitors looking to purchase authentic African craftwork should not miss the Pan-African market, on Long Street. This building is crammed full of woodwork, painting and other art and crafts from across the continent.
Art lovers should check listings for current exhibitions so as not to miss anything of special interest.
