Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is situated on Argyle Street, in the West End of the city, on the banks of the River Kelvin, across Kelvin Hall, which is styled like the museum in the 1920’s.

The Museum closed in 2003 and reopened on 11th July 2006 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, after receiving a three-year refurbishment and restoration, since its reopening the museum has been one of the most popular attractions in Scotland. Features 22 themed, state of the art galleries displaying a surprising 8,000 objects.

The refurbishment and restoration cost around £28 Million, the large basement area had an extension so ‘its possible to accommodate the 8,000 exhibits, new display layout was build and a way-finding scheme was put in place to make it easier for visitors to move around the building, you can also find a new restaurant area.

The Funding for this refurbishment came from Heritage Lottery Fund which funded nearly 13 Million, The European Regional Development and Glasgow City Council funded 12 Million, which includes 2.5 Million from Private Sponsorships and the Kelvingrove Refurbishment Appeal, and Historic Scotland funded half a million.

On October 6th, 2017, The Museum and Art Gallery introduced world’s first museum display on Alcoholics Anonymous, AA, in the community exhibition space. The exhibition displays the history and the ongoing commitment, from the very first AA meeting in Scotland.

The exhibition contains photographs, objects, significant documents and letters, and newspaper clippings that chart the founding of and vital role undertaken by the group across Scotland today.

The collections at Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery are extensive, wide-ranging and internationally significant. you can find collections from Egyptian antiquities and European art to furniture, natural history, textiles, glass, jewellery, ceramics,  metalwork and world-class collection of arms and Armour.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Christ of St John of the Cross – Salvador Dali

One of the most famous paintings that are on display in the Kelvingrove Museum is the  Salvador Dali masterpiece ‘Christ of St John of the Cross’.

Other famous paintings and structures on display:

  • A spitfire plane hanging from the ceiling in the west court;
  • Sir Roger the Asian elephant;
  • The Floating Heads by Sophie Cave;
  • Portrait of the Art Dealer Alexander Reid by Vincent van Gogh;
  • A Man in Armour by Rembrandt;
  • Jubilee bust of Queen Victoria. Francis John Williamson, 1887.
  • Paul Gauguin, Østre Anlæg Park,Copenhagen 1885
  • Mummified man’s head. Greek-Roman Period, 332 BCE to 395 CE

Kelvingrove is open to everyone and has displays which are designed to keep the children in mind, making it a lot more user interaction, throughout the Museum.

spitfire plane
Picture of spitfire plane by Mike Hardisty
TELEPHONE: 0141 276 9599   |  Official Website  | Official Facebook

Getting There

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum situated in Kelvingrove Park that’s on Argyle Street, the museum is close to Glasgow University and only a mile and a half from Queen Street Station and Glasgow City Centre, however, it’s only half a mile away from the River Clyde and the SECC.

  • Car  & Car Park Area: You can find parking on Kelvingrove Park and the opposite side of Argyle Street, near Kelvin Hall.  If you planning to drive, the Museum is only 6 minutes from the M8.
  • Subway: The Kelvin Hall subway station is only a 5 5-minute walk. You can also alight at the Kelvinbridge subway and walk 15 minutes through Kelvingrove Park.
  • Train Station: The Patrick Rail Station is only 15 minutes walk.
  • Bus Services: Several buses operate near Kelvingrove, numbers 2, 3, 9,16,18,42,62, 64  and 77 all stop outside Kelvingrove.

*Please note: any transport services may change since this post, please do some research before setting off*

Disability Information

Kelvingrove has easy access for Wheelchair users and a lift to give access to the main Gallery areas, Toilets are accessible for both males and females. wheelchair users can access the cafe area.

Disabled parking or drop-off point available.

Opening Hours – Free Entry

Monday to Thursday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

*Please note: opening times may vary during holidays and other events, please visit the official website for more details*

Location

Address: Argyle St, Glasgow G3 8AG