City Art Centre, Edinburgh

The City Art Centre is a part of Museums & Galleries Edinburgh. This center houses a diverse collection that includes both historical and contemporary Scottish paintings and photographs, as well as modern art and crafts. Unlike a traditional museum, it primarily functions as an exhibition venue and does not have permanent displays.

One of the notable features of the City Art Centre is its role as the custodian of the City of Edinburgh's Recognized collection of Scottish Art, which comprises around 4,800 artworks encompassing various artistic mediums. The collection represents a wide range of artists, including well-known figures like Fergusson, Eardley, and Paolozzi, along with many other artists associated with Edinburgh and Scotland. The artworks in the collection span from the 17th century to contemporary pieces.

The current City Art Centre building, constructed between 1899 and 1902, was designed by Dunn and Findlay. Originally intended as an expansion of the Scotsman newspaper office, it later served as part of the city's wholesale fruit and vegetable market. The building was crafted as a nine-story structure with an iron frame and adorned with stone cladding, exhibiting a restrained Beaux Arts architectural style. It features public galleries spread across six floors.

In 1980, the building underwent a conversion project led by the City Architect's Department, overseen by the then City Architect, Brian Annable. This renovation effort was recognized with a RIBA Award for Architecture in 1983. In the 1990s, further enhancements were made by expanding into the upper floors. Throughout the interior of the center, natural materials and neutral color schemes were employed to create adaptable, contemporary exhibition spaces.