Aberden art gallery to re-open next month

It will be the second time the gallery has re-opened after an enforced closure due to Covid restrictions.

Published 22nd Mar 2021
Last updated 22nd Mar 2021

Aberdeen Art Gallery today announced (Monday 22 March) that it will re-open at 10am on Monday 26 April following its second enforced closure due to the unprecedented impact of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

It was first forced to close its doors for five months from March last year, just four months after its much-anticipated re-opening in November 2019 following a £34.6 million redevelopment.

As previously, the gallery will reopen in line with Scottish Government guidelines, with a range of measures in place to ensure the safety of visitors and staff, including hand sanitising stations and face coverings.

Councillor Marie Boulton, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesperson said, “It is great that we are finally beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel and a gradual return to normality following the appalling impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the last year.

“The re-opening of our fantastic Aberdeen Art Gallery is a significant mark of confidence in city’s road to post-pandemic recovery.

“We cannot underestimate the important role that our cultural settings play in our lives and the positive effect they have on our health and wellbeing, none more so than Aberdeen Art Gallery which is a firm favourite with the thousands of visitors it has welcomed since its award-winning redevelopment. Many local people may still not have experienced the transformed Gallery and I know that the entire team is looking forward to welcoming both first-time visitors and regulars and providing a safe and welcoming experience.

“I, and many others, will be really looking forward to being able to visit our wonderful cultural landmark again.”

Christine Rew, Art Gallery & Museums Manager, said: "We have been working hard behind the scenes in anticipation of this moment. We have a fantastic programme of exhibitions lined up this year, including the landmark British Art Show 9 which is coming to Aberdeen for the first time in July, and will show some of the best and most exciting contemporary art being made in the UK.”

As well as being a joint winter of the prestigious Art Fund Museum of the Year 2020, Aberdeen Art Gallery recently received the Civic Trust Awards top prize: the National Panel Special Award. Further accolades include the Glasgow Institute of Architects Supreme Award, and the Public Building of the Year, Regeneration Project of the Year and Project of the Year awards from Aberdeen Society of Architects.

Initial opening hours will be:

Monday, Wednesday-Saturday 10am-5pm

Sunday 10am-4pm

Closed Tuesday

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