About

The front of the Travelling Gallery in Castle Street with Edinburgh Castle aboveThe Travelling Gallery was established by the Scottish Arts Council (SAC) in 1978. The first vehicle was a converted double-decker bus and the project proved so successful that in 1983 the SAC commissioned the custom built vehicle which was used for the next 25 years. In 1997 The City of Edinburgh Council took up ownership of the vehicle and a funding plan agreed with the Scottish Arts Council.

The Travelling Gallery operates an award winning Education Programme which includes gallery talks, teachers' packs, artist-led workshops and events.

When you are inside the bus it feels just like a ‘normal’ contemporary art gallery. The exhibitions imaginatively includes both established and up and coming artists from home and abroad showing work in a variety of media which is challenging, of high quality, communicative and engaging to a diverse audience. The exhibitions are also fun!

The programme gives audiences throughout Scotland the opportunity to experience exhibitions by internationally reknowned Scottish artists as well as artists from around the world. Exploring concepts and technologies which are representative of current trends in international, contemporary art, the exhibitions range from specially commissioned one and two-person installations to themed group shows and visionary collaborations.

We visit lots of schools throughout the country and all Travelling Gallery staff are happy to talk about the work on show and explain the artworks to groups and individuals at every location.
 


More information on the history of the bus.