The Best Art Galleries in Hobart to Add to Your Cultural Calendar

To do Hobart’s art scene justice, you’re going to need more than a weekend. From long-standing establishments to flash-in-the-pan exhibitions, Hobart’s vibrant art galleries have something for everyone. Contemporary collections and local works are just the beginning. Australia's most celebrated modern art museum also resides in this historic port city. So, our advice is to fuel up at one of the best cafés in town before making your way through this edit. Read on for the best art galleries in Hobart to meander through this weekend..

Salamanca Arts Centre

We’re slightly cheating here given that Salamanca Arts Centre houses several of Hobart’s best art galleries – basically, it’s a one-stop shop for any art lover visiting the Tassie capital. The perfect way to spend a rainy or cold Hobart day, pop into the historic Salamanca Place building and prepare to get lost exploring the many artists’ studios, design retailers and galleries – including the Long Gallery, the Nolan Gallery, Off Centre, Spacebar Gallery and the Sidespace Gallery – within the space. A true celebration of local artists working in every medium you could think of, from painting to photography, ceramics and jewellery-making.

77 Salamanca Place, Battery Point

Lady Franklin Gallery

Lady Franklin Gallery is a quirky little art gallery (open Sundays) housed inside a historic Greek-inspired sandstone building in the leafy suburb of Lenah Valley. It was commissioned by Governor John Franklin’s wife Jane in 1842 – paid for out of her own pocket – after she despaired at the lack of cultural spaces in Hobart at the time. These days, it’s a community arts co-op where you can find exhibitions (which change monthly!) and workshops hosted by local artists, all run by the Art Society of Tasmania.

268 Lenah Valley Road, Lenah Valley

Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery

The sensible older sister of the outrageous MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) is Hobart’s more traditional cultural offering. You won’t find a poo machine here, but you will find loads of interesting exhibitions – from historical collections of convict artefacts, Aboriginal art from the palawa people, colonial arts and crafts and family-friends kids’ exhibitions. In addition to TMAG’s permanent collections, it has several new exhibitions a year. Currently on display: a stunning collection of art from landscape painter Lloyd Rees, celebrating his time in Tasmania.

Dunn Place, Hobart

MONA

To call MONA an art gallery is almost a disservice. Situated on an 8.5-acre picturesque peninsula just north of Hobart it includes accommodation, bars, a library, brewery, winery, lawns to picnic on and playgrounds to occupy the little ones. Oh, and of course the three-level underground art museum and gallery. Phew! 

If you’ve heard anything about Mona it’s likely to be the wall of vaginas or the giant poo machine, but they merely scratch the surface of over 1900 pieces Mona has to offer.  

The space itself is an architectural phenomenon that allows such large-scale works as Tunnels of Light by artist James Turrell to be experienced. 

Sidney Nolan’s Snake could arguably only be displayed at Mona. An artwork that consists of 1620 panels - each depicting abstract creatures and people - arranged so that from afar the sprawling work creates an image of a snake.  

Cloaca Professional is a huge installation that replicates the human digestive system. Fed at 11am it expels its business promptly at 2pm (hint: hold your nose). 

There are no tour guides here, or tiny descriptions sitting adjacent to artworks. To navigate the weird and wonderful you’ll receive a pocket-sized tour guide to technologically guide you through the vast art gallery.  

From an extensive ancient Egyptian art collection to the most genre-pushing installations, Mona is a place to while away a day, nay a weekend, to really understand what it’s all about. 

655 Main Road, Berriedale 

Handmark 

For Allanah Dopson, Handmark’s Director, the gallery is an ode to the “... handmade, the family of Tasmanian artists we represent, and our great staff”. Having opened in 1980, Handmark celebrates the diverse and eclectic talents that have emerged from the Tasmanian art scene over the years. Established and emerging artists’ work can be found at the gallery, situated in a coveted building in the historic hub of Salamanca. 

Unique works from raku-fired ceramics to glass sculptures, textiles and wood sit in unison with more traditional mediums for you to adorn your walls, or simply admire.  

77 Salamanca Place, Hobart

Art Mob 

An asset to Hobart’s art scene is Art Mob, a gallery specialising in Aboriginal art, jewellery and objects. Having made a name for itself showcasing renowned local Palawa/Tasmanian artists in beautifully curated exhibitions, it is now recognised as one of the leading Aboriginal art galleries globally. 

The gallery’s director, Euan Hills, is deeply ingrained in the space, so seek him out as he’s a wealth of knowledge. His deep understanding of the Indigenous art makers, their stories and their techniques is the perfect accompaniment when you visit this space. 

If time permits, and you’ve perused the extensive works adorning the walls, they also have a huge collection in the packing room that’s often available to view.  

29 Hunter Street, Hobart

Despard Gallery 

Well into its fourth decade, Despard Gallery has been a constant in Hobart’s art scene since 1985. Housed in a beautiful sandstone building a stone’s throw from Salamanca Place, the current space was purpose-built above its original gallery location. Historic timber posts are a nod to the past, but the artwork focuses on contemporary work, and Despard is known for its brilliant and extensive exhibition featuring local, national and international artists.  

A leading art gallery since its founding, it has been recognised globally for international exhibitions in the likes of New York and Chicago. Despards’ exhibitions rotate frequently, but it’s the creativity and consideration behind the curation of its shows that sets it apart.  

Level 1/15 Castray Esplanade, Hobart 

Bickerstaff + Blizzard 

Having opened in mid-2022, Bickerstaff Blizzard was never one to sit still for long. Always keeping you guessing, co-founders Jess Blizzard and Shelly Bickerstaff pride themselves on hand-selecting uber-creative talent from Tasmania and afar for their rapid-paced exhibitions. Over the last 12 months, the gallery has showcased the likes of Candice Broderick (a finalist in the 2023 Glover Art Prize), the neon perspex furniture of CK Studio, and acclaimed Sydney-based and cowboy depicting artist, Jacob Pedrana. The gallery has recently closed its bricks-and-mortar space, opting to move to intimate, invite-only art events in secret locations. They’re gearing up for the first one shortly, so drop them a DM to get on the list.  

Various locations 

Good Grief 

If the bright yellow exterior or vibrant murals on the walls of Good Grief doesn’t cheer you up, nothing will. This progressive studio, housed in a former automotive workshop, doesn’t disappoint once you make your way inside. Good Grief celebrates the experimental and the emerging, highlighting a range of mediums including performances and sound installations, to textiles and furniture design. 

Their exhibition openings are always worth a visit, making the most of their internal courtyard for events, installations and the sporadic market day. Keep an eye on their socials for what’s up next - with their inaugural Sunday Cinema Club a sign of great things to come. A cleverly curated shop allows you to take a range of pieces home.  

62 Argyle Street, Hobart

Loved our round-up of the best art galleries in Hobart and looking for more creative inspiration? Find it in the host of glorious restaurants and markets that Hobart have to offer.