Mission Gallery, Swansea

Mission Gallery, located in Swansea’s Maritime Quarter, is a contemporary visual and applied arts space that has played a significant role in the Welsh arts scene since its establishment in 1977. Housed in the beautifully designed, Grade II listed Saint Nicholas Church, built in 1886 by Benjamin Bucknall, the gallery offers a unique setting for showcasing a variety of contemporary art forms, including painting, installation, photography, and crafts.

Originally founded as the Swansea Arts Workshop Gallery by a group of artists and volunteers, the gallery was part of the Association of Artists and Designers in Wales, in collaboration with Swansea Studios. After the dissolution of the association in 1992, the gallery became independent, continuing its mission with funding from the Arts Council of Wales. In 2003, the gallery secured full-time professional staff and has since developed a national and international reputation for its dynamic programming.

The gallery is divided into three areas: an exhibition space, a shop, and an education space, offering a platform for both established and emerging artists to display their work. Mission Gallery also prioritizes learning and participation, running programs aimed at all ages and abilities while fostering strong partnerships with educational and cultural institutions, including Swansea College of Art. Through these collaborations, the gallery has established meaningful exchanges with global cultural organizations in cities such as New York and Venice.

Mission Gallery remains a vibrant space for artistic innovation, offering a welcoming environment for both artists and the community to engage with contemporary art in a historically significant and architecturally distinctive setting.