As the summer draws to a close and the days get colder and shorter it can easily feel like there’s not much to do in the city. Especially as with every British season, a downpour or three will be a certainty. Art galleries provide the perfect occasion to get out of the house and avoid most of the bad weather in Brighton, that will come our way in the upcoming months.
Whether it’s to see a specific exhibition that you’ve been desperate to go to, see work completely out of your comfort zone, or so you have something to do when your parents visit out of the blue, an art gallery or exhibition space has you covered.
Brighton and Hove is the perfect spot for just that. Enjoying a long history with the arts and the art world, spanning the 1920s when the streets of Kemptown became the home to the growing art scene and to the graffiti on the buildings of today. Wherever you walk, evidence of this vibrant and cultural relationship can be found.
From the most famous galleries to the earliest additions to the city, this list aims to get the ball rolling on your artistic exploration. The city today contains a plethora of galleries all within walking distance of the centre and all are worth a visit but there will no doubt be others that haven’t made the list that you should definitely go to.
Brighton Museum & Art Gallery
Most likely, when you think of art galleries in Brighton you think of the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery. Standing proud in the Pavilion, this venue was originally part of the Royal Pavilion Estate. Though traditionally art exhibitions were held in multiple rooms of the palace it wasn’t until 1902 that the section we know of as the museum and art gallery became a formal, official exhibition space.
The most traditional in our list of galleries and spaces, the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery is home to a number of seasonal exhibitions as well as non-seasonal, so you’ll need to hold on to that yearly pass. Currently on display are World Above the Waves: Brighton’s Chain Pier (20 June 2023 to 14 January 2024) and See the Sea (22 July 2023 to 31 August 2024) both providing a glimpse into the city’s long and vibrant past.
Address: Royal Pavilion Gardens, Brighton, BN1 1EE
Website: brightonmuseums.org.uk/brighton-museum-art-gallery/
Cameron Contemporary Art
Situated in Hove on Victoria Grove, just off the main high street, Cameron Contemporary Art was set up by artist Kirsty Wither and her husband Robert Cameron. Previously staging exhibitions in London, Scotland, and Sussex, the gallery’s current location is a permanent space that holds 8 exhibitions a year whilst also hosting panels and talks at the space.
Upon entering, visitors are greeted with a sense of calm and warmth with its minimalist interior and warm tones providing the perfect backdrop to the pieces on display. Offering a re-hanging and rearranging service, the duo is also available to advise on building your own collection. With a number of pieces available to purchase, it’s worth a visit, if you’re lucky you’ll also get to say hello to Kirsty and Robert’s dog.
Address: 1 Victoria Grove, Second Ave, Hove, BN3 2LJ
Website: cameroncontemporaryart.com
Fabrica
Sat amongst the hustle and bustle of shoppers and tourists in The Lanes, visitors can find Fabrica. A contemporary art gallery based on Duke Street, the modern interiors juxtapose the gothic exteriors of the Holy Trinity church the space lives in. With a year-round programme of events, Fabrica works with a range of artists and creatives, from local community members to national organisations.
Community is a central part of this space and is the key to how it thrives. Established by a group of artists from Red Herring Studios in 1996, its name Fabrica is a homage to the English and French words for fabricate, instilling a sense of creation and growth. Not just focusing on showcasing art for people to view, Fabrica’s mission of making art and art practices accessible for all can be seen in the range of interactive art events and workshops they hold.
Address: 10 Duke Street, Brighton, BN1 1AG
Website: fabrica.org.uk/?platform=hootsuite
Phoenix Art Space
A six-story building based on Waterloo Place in Brighton, Phoenix Art Space provides affordable studio spaces for up-and-coming artists as well as showcasing the work of a number of artists in their two public galleries. Showcasing 12 free exhibitions annually, their mission is to provide a thriving and dynamic space that offers a range of creative opportunities for budding artists.
The organisation also provides a number of courses for the public to help link up with their own creative side such as evening life drawing, willow frame basket weaving, jewellery-making courses, and portrait drawing and painting. To make things even more tempting the venue has an onsite coffee bar run by Canvas Coffee Co. providing visitors with a space to relax and take in what they’ve seen.
Address: 10-14 Waterloo Pl, Brighton, BN2 9NB
Website: phoenixbrighton.org
Koop Projects
One of the newer exhibition spaces on our list, Koop set up shop in 2022. A neighbourhood gallery based on George’s Road. The gallery’s mission is to raise the profile of African contemporary art and artists while also promoting sustainable art practices.
Their mission is simple; create a space for learning, change, and development. The space is minimalist, letting the artwork on show do the work and pull the viewer’s eye.
Address: 93 St George’s Rd, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1EE
Website: koopprojects.com/about/
Enter Gallery
Located on Bond Street in the The Lanes, Enter Gallery’s mission is simple ‘Art for All.’ Following that up with a statement that they’re celebrating the end of the era of art elitism, it’s clear that Enter Gallery’s counterculture roots make it the perfect home for Brighton and one of the best exhibition spaces to visit on our list.
Prioritising inclusivity, warmth, and a sincere appreciation for art, this gallery’s space is a treasure trove of provocative and stylish art that exudes a timeless energy. Created by founder and director Lawrence Alkin, this gallery has garnered widespread media attention.
At the gallery’s 25th anniversary, Brighton legend Fatboy Slim even performed as part of the launch of Mark Vessey’s collection piece, Norman, depicting the DJ’s favourite records. If you haven’t visited already, this is your sign to go now!
Address: 13 Bond St, Brighton, BN1 1RD
Website: entergallery.com
Helm
The youngest on our list is Helm. Referencing the original name of Brighton, Brighthelmstone, this new contemporary art gallery was co-founded by Luke Davies and Eden Maseyk, the latter also working as a curator. Opening earlier this year, the simplistic space currently stands as the largest contemporary gallery space in Brighton.
Operating as an art and exhibition space, Helm will also host a range of events, art classes, and panel talks making it a hub for the evergrowing artistic community. Located on North Road, Helm is a space for everyone and a welcome addition to the cityscape. Describing the vision, Luke Davies said in a statement on their website “Helm is about creating a new kind of welcoming and dynamic space where art is more than displayed, it’s actually enjoyed and brought to life.”
Address: 15 North Rd, Brighton, BN1 1YA
Website: helm-gallery.com
Hove Museum of Creativity
Located on the edge of Hove, on New Church Road, this hidden gem sits in the ornately decorated Victorian villa, formerly known as Brooker Hall. Constructed in 1877, in the Italianate fashion made popular by Queen Victoria, the site is now described as a Museum of Creativity, hosting seasonal art exhibitions on the first floor along with cultural and historical exhibitions on the second.
Providing the public with a variety of related events, such as a traditional Japanese Stitching workshop as part of their current exhibition titled Godai: Japanese Woodcuts Exhibition Gallery Tour (running until the 12th of November 2023) it’s a great place to explore. Free to enter, it’s a great way to spend a day with family and friends keen to learn more about Brighton and Hove.
Address: 19 New Church Road, Brighton, BN3 4AB
Website: brightonmuseums.org.uk/hove-museum-of-creativity/
ONCA
An art space that aims to bridge social and environmental justice issues with creativity, ONCA believes in utilising art to engineer social changes and raise public awareness. Available for venue hire, desk space hire, and team training programmes, ONCA is a great spot to take in the current contemporary voices in art whilst also contributing to a space that is interconnected with the local community. This is most prominent in their local activism.
Joining forces with Fabrica, the two galleries work together sitting on the board of The Living Coast an organisation that aims to conserve and enhance nature, support sustainable human development, and promote environmental awareness, knowledge, and engagement.
Address: 14 St George’s Pl, Brighton, BN1 4GB
Website: onca.org.uk
Do Not Obstruct
Created by artists and gallery owners Kirsteen Adams and Graham Freeman, Do Not Obstruct is an exciting venue with much potential for showcasing contemporary art. Committed to promoting emerging artists and providing a platform for new voices in the art world, Adams and Freeman use Do Not Obstruct to pull back the barriers that have long existed in today’s art world.
Located on James’s Street in Kemptown, the gallery is currently undergoing renovations but its distinctive and characteristic shopfront can be seen still. Watch this space for more updates, whatever they do it’ll be worth the visit.
Address: 7 St George’s Rd, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1EB
Website: donotobstruct.co.uk
