Top 13 Best Art Galleries in Atlanta to Explore in 2024
Georgia's capital city is known for its vibrant culture of food and music, but there are also amazing art galleries in Atlanta that showcase incredible creativity. If you’re looking for a way to explore Atlanta, visiting one of the many art galleries is the perfect way to spend a day in this bustling city.
According to Forbes and a study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology, visiting art galleries and museums can reduce cortisol levels, thereby reducing stress and feelings of isolation. Visiting art galleries in Atlanta and beyond can be a great benefit to overall well-being.
What’s great about art galleries in Atlanta is that there are so many different types to choose from, highlighting different art and a variety of both local and international artists. Plus, many of the ATL artists are immersed in the culture of this unique city, so visiting these local art galleries is a great way to get a feel for Atlanta.
Whether you visit on a date, with friends, with family or by yourself, exploring the art scene of Atlanta is a great activity.
Jump to Section
- Interactive Art Classes in Atlanta
- Contemporary Art Galleries in Atlanta
- Black Art Galleries in Atlanta
- Art Galleries in Atlanta Accepting Submissions
- Free Art Galleries in Atlanta
Interactive Art Classes in Atlanta
1. Get Creative with Art Classes
Before we explore the best art galleries in Atlanta, why not express your creativity by taking art classes in Atlanta? These classes are taught by expert local artists and are open to a variety of skill levels. Through easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions, you’ll recreate a painting that you can be proud of.
Plus, you’ll learn new artistic techniques and styles that will improve your art. Learn how to paint, master the lens with photography classes in Atlanta and explore a variety of other genres. They also make great experience gifts in Atlanta to give for a special occasion.
Whether you’re an aspiring artist or a novice looking to get started, interactive art classes in Atlanta can help sharpen your skills.
Contemporary Art Galleries in Atlanta
2. Atlanta Contemporary
Does Atlanta have an art district? It does! The Midtown Arts District is home to many venues and galleries. Located in West Midtown, Atlanta Contemporary is one of the top art galleries in Atlanta.
This gallery promotes and advances contemporary art by featuring emerging and established artists from local, national, and international areas. Atlanta Contemporary has tons of exhibits to explore, so you can keep coming back to see something new.
Bonus: Admission is always free.
3. Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia
The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, or MOCA GA, aims to feature work by Georgia artists as well as some from around the world. MOCA GA has a permanent collection and over 300 artists to explore.
They seek active interchange between artists to foster a strong community. Filled with unique pieces, this is a contemporary art gallery in Atlanta you have to explore to find inspiration.
Admission is free if you are a registered member, otherwise, there is a small $5 fee.
4. High Museum of Art
The High Museum of Art is one of the most famous art galleries in Atlanta. It is also the largest visual art museum in the Southeastern United States. Its collection features paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures from artists who created works between 1780 and 1980.
The stunningly curated exhibits feature a wide variety of styles, from folk and self-taught to African art. This museum also features plenty of events and programs to attend and can host private events, which are great for team-building activities in Atlanta.
Members and children under 6 enter for free. For everyone else, there's a $23.50 fee.
5. Maune Contemporary Fine Art Gallery
Founded by art collectors Ramsey and Heidi Maune, the Maune Contemporary Fine Art Gallery seeks to help individuals build their own art collections.
The gallery features international artists and also accepts consignment works. The variety of art styles is inspiring and a great place to explore if you’re a lover of contemporary art in Atlanta.
Black Art Galleries in Atlanta
6. ZuCot Gallery
If you're wondering, "Is there an art scene in Atlanta?" You'll get your answer at ZuCot Gallery. This is the largest African-American-owned fine art gallery in the Southeastern United States.
They aim to promote the art of contemporary African American artists and provide stunning works for art collectors. This incredibly unique space is one to visit for art lovers, collectors and artists.
7. Black Art in America
Black Art in America™ (BAIA) seeks to document, preserve and promote the African American art community in Atlanta and beyond. Along with viewing art, BAIA puts on art shows that are free and open to the public.
These art shows are a great place to explore the art community and purchase works from Black artists.
8. aKAZ! ATL
Black-owned and operated, aKAZ! ATL seeks to curate contemporary art from the African Continent. It features artists' works from Dakar, Lagos, Johannesburg and more.
Its stunning exhibitions feature contemporary art that often reflects Black and African cultures. Many pieces are also available for purchase, so this is a great gallery to support emerging and established African artists.
9. The Spelman College Museum of Fine Art
Located on the historic and revered Spelman College campus, the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art features work by and about women from the African diaspora.
In fact, it’s the only museum in the nation to do so. The museum features permanent and rotating exhibits from a variety of mediums. Undoubtedly, it’s one of the top art galleries in Atlanta that supports women artists.
Art Galleries in Atlanta Accepting Submissions
8. Blue Mark Studios
Wondering, "Where can I sell my art in Atlanta?" If you’re an aspiring artist looking to break into the professional art scene, you should look for Atlanta art galleries that are accepting submissions.
Blue Mark Studios accepts exhibition profiles and portfolios online to fill one of the six exhibition slots for the year. The gallery accepts painting, photography, digital art, drawing, performance and music.
9. The Gallery by Wish
If you’re looking to break into the art world, consider submitting to The Gallery by Wish. It accepts digital portfolios, which are considered for their upcoming exhibitions. This space also offers events, so it’s a great place to get immersed in the local art culture.
10. dk Gallery
dk Gallery in Marietta Square is just outside of Atlanta and features new and exciting art from emerging and established artists. This gallery accepts a variety of art styles and match artists to its monthly themes.
Submissions are accepted via email and its often looking for a voice and point of view the gallery has not yet seen. The beautiful space is ideal for artists looking to get their work out there.
So, is Atlanta a good place for artists? Absolutely, there are plenty of opportunities to enter the art scene and get your work featured in a gallery.
Free Art Galleries in Atlanta
11. The BeltLine
Many of Atlanta’s art museums have free or low-cost admissions. But some of the best free art galleries in Atlanta are outside the main city. Art on the Atlanta Beltline features works from visual artists as well as performers in 20 communities.
These public art exhibitions stretch for more than 12 miles on a mapped trail. It’s one of the coolest art galleries in Atlanta’s Downtown and around the city. Looking for date ideas in Atlanta? Exploring the art on the BeltLine is an engaging one.
12. Future Gallery
If you’re looking for art galleries in Atlanta’s Downtown area, Future Gallery is a must-see. It’s also Downtown’s only black-owned art gallery. It features exhibitions from contemporary artists and focuses on representation and identity.
It also features events that have music, art and poetry and serves food to bring together the art community. Their events make great indoor activities in Atlanta.
13. Living Walls
Living Walls is one of the coolest free art galleries in Atlanta. It creates public art that inspires and promotes artists of color, as well as LGBTIQA+ and women artists.
They create murals that you can view throughout the city. And they’re often looking for artists to get involved with their next installations.
Because they’re so widespread, Living Walls is one of the most famous art galleries in Atlanta. You can walk around the city and see tons of its public art installations without having to spend a thing.
As a vibrant culturally rich city in the South, there are some incredible art galleries in Atlanta. The city has so much to explore, including the art scene of local and emerging artists who are often featured in the city’s art galleries and museums.
Visit art galleries in Atlanta where you can purchase art from and support local artists. You can learn more about Black culture by exploring Black art galleries in Atlanta, Georgia. Whether you go on a date or explore on your own, discover the art scene in Atlanta through some of the most incredible art galleries.
For even more fun things to do in Atlanta, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
