Since its opening in 1974, the gallery has become part of the Scottish contemporary art scene.[2][3] After a period of closure to undergo a significant renovation, the gallery reopened in 2021 with expanded exhibition space and facilities.[4]
History
The gallery, which opened in 1974, is located in a building which was originally built as a fruit and vegetable market in 1938. In 1994, the building was renovated by Richard Murphy Architects. It has a café and a bookshop.
Some of the Scotsman Steps
In 2011 the gallery was involved in commissioning The Scotsman Steps. These 104 steps which link Waverley Station to North Bridge were opened in 1899. They were redesigned by artist Martin Creed (as Work No. 1059) to incorporate a different type of marble for each step in 2011.[5]
Also in 2011, the gallery was selected to curate the Scottish pavilion at that year's Venice Biennale.[2]
In 2018 the gallery announced that it was to close temporarily for a £4.3 million refurbishment project.[4] Designed by Edinburgh-based Reiach and Hall,[6] the revamp included overhauling the existing gallery spaces, as well creating a new exhibition space in a nearby former fruit and vegetable warehouse (later the Electric Circus nightclub), effectively doubling the footprint of the gallery.[7] The refurbishment also created a new space dedicated to classes and workshops, while the existing bookshop and cafe were expanded.
Several artists have been prominent supporters of the project, even as the COVID-19 pandemic put building on hold and pushed up costs: Martin Creed donated the proceeds of a neon work that sold for more than £50,000; Callum Innes helped choose the project architect; and Tania Kovats designed a £15,000 ceramic drinking fountain for the building, intended for visitors to fill up their water bottles.[8]
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