A navy shopfront with ART GALLERY painted in cream letters below brick and sash windows

Art Galleries

Two free public galleries to wander, then the galleries where you buy. Most commercial galleries are closed Sundays and Mondays.

Inglewood · Wednesday to Sunday · Free

Esker Foundation

Calgary's best contemporary art space, and it's free, parking included. Exhibitions change often and there's a scavenger hunt for kids. Pair it with an afternoon on 9th Avenue.

1011 9 Ave SE, 4th floor · Map for Esker Foundation · Website for Esker Foundation

Downtown West · Wednesday to Sunday

Contemporary Calgary

Rotating exhibitions in the old Centennial Planetarium, a building worth the visit on its own. A different show on each floor, and the river paths are steps away.

701 11 St SW · Map for Contemporary Calgary · Website for Contemporary Calgary

Manchester · Tuesday to Saturday

Norberg Hall

One of the city's leading contemporary galleries, representing emerging, mid-career and established Canadian artists. Shannon Norberg has led it since it opened as Jarvis Hall in 2010, and her eye has placed work in major collections across the country.

Pro tip: Book a visit ahead, since viewings are by appointment.

333B 36 Ave SE · Map for Norberg Hall

Beltline

Wallace Galleries

One of the city's most respected galleries for Canadian art. Tell them what you love and they'll find the piece. They'll even hang it in your home.

724 11 Ave SW · Map for Wallace Galleries

Manchester

Gibson Fine Art

A stunning space of Canadian artists, sharing the building with Interior Living. Watch for their intimate evening events.

523 Cleveland Cres SE · Map for Gibson Fine Art

Beltline

Newzones

Contemporary Canadian art for nearly three decades. Go to an opening: new collections, the artists, and a glass of wine.

730 11 Ave SW · Map for Newzones

Beltline · Tuesday to Saturday

TrépanierBaer

The serious contemporary gallery in town since 1991, showing senior and mid-career Canadian and international artists alongside rediscovered modern masters. The place to see museum-level work up close.

105-999 8 St SW · Map for TrépanierBaer

Inglewood · Wednesday to Sunday

VivianeArt

Established Canadian and international contemporary artists on 9th Avenue, with a habit of bringing big names to Calgary. Open Sundays, so it fits an Inglewood afternoon.

1018 9 Ave SE · Map for VivianeArt

For the Art Crowd

Two artist-run spaces showing emerging work: The New Gallery in Chinatown (208 Centre St S) and Stride Gallery in the Beltline (625 11 Ave SW). Free, small and quick to see.

Coming soon: Glenbow, the city's big art museum downtown, is closed for renovations and targeting a 2027 reopening, with free general admission.

The seasonal update

What opened, what closed and what's worth a reservation. Four emails a year, nothing else.