Art Galleries in Liverpool

Tate Liverpool, Albert Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 4BB - Visit now

This northern outpost of arguably Britain’s most important arts institution opened at Liverpool’s Albert Dock in 1988. Tate Liverpool is housed inside a Grade I-listed former warehouse, a redbrick beauty designed by Jesse Hartley in 1840 that was once an integral part of Liverpool’s gargantuan port industry. The warehouse was converted into a gallery by architect James Stirling; it now has four floors dedicated to modern and contemporary visual art, with previous blockbuster exhibitions including Jackson Pollock, Francis Bacon and Andy Warhol.

– Susie Stubbs

Bluecoat, Bluecoat Chambers, School Lane, Liverpool, L1 3BX - Visit now

The oldest building in the city centre, the Bluecoat was once a school, and is now one of the city’s liveliest arts hubs, an art gallery showing work by major national and international artists that also stages regular performances, readings and more. Clustered around its front courtyard are independent craft and design shops, while at the back you’ll find the highly-rated Bluecoat Display Centre.

– Susie Stubbs

Open Eye Gallery, 19 Mann Island, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 1BP - Visit now

Open Eye is one of the UK’s best-such galleries, an independent photography space and archive in Liverpool with a 35 year-plus history. As well as a regular programme of changing exhibitions, featuring both national and international photographers, Open Eye also runs courses, workshops and talks for serious photographers.

– Susie Stubbs

FACT, 88 Wood Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 4DQ - Visit now

Since opening in 2003, Liverpool’s FACT (AKA the Foundation for Art and Creative Technology) has supported artists working with new media, commissioned countless (and occasionally seminal) artworks and dedicated itself to digital media. Three arthouse cinemas screen both popular and cult films, two galleries show new work, and other spaces within the building are regularly used for digital and new media events. It also has an excellent ground-floor cafe with a vegan/veggie vibe – operated by the super-cool folk behind nearby Bold Street’s LEAF – and a first-floor bar.

– Alex Saint

Walker Art Gallery, William Brown Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 8EL - Visit now

The Walker Art Gallery is a small but perfectly formed traditional gallery; it houses an impressive collection of paintings, sculpture and decorative art from 13th century to present day. Its excellent Victorian collection (including some Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces) is bolstered by changing temporary exhibitions. Every two years it hosts the John Moores Painting Prize, one of the most prestigious art competitions in the UK – patron Peter Blake claims his win in 1961 remains one of his most proud achievements.

– Susie Stubbs