Krishna Nair
August 26, 2025
Bangalore’s cultural landscape pulses with energy across a diverse array of galleries, studios, and creative hubs. These spaces foster innovation while honouring tradition, providing platforms for artists, designers, and makers who reflect the city’s evolving identity. For travellers seeking to explore Bangalore’s artistic pulse beyond the familiar, these venues offer immersive encounters with local creativity.
Housed in a colonial-era mansion, the NGMA Bangalore showcases a curated collection of Indian modern and contemporary art. Exhibitions span painting, sculpture, photography, and new media, highlighting both established masters and emerging voices. The gallery’s serene gardens and historic architecture provide a thoughtful backdrop for exploring India’s artistic evolution.
Gallery Sumukha champions contemporary Indian art with a focus on supporting emerging and mid-career artists. Its exhibitions emphasize experimentation and conceptual rigor, featuring painting, sculpture, and installation art. Situated in the heart of the city, the gallery attracts collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts eager to discover fresh perspectives.
Located within the bustling MG Road Metro Station, Rangoli Metro Art Center transforms a transit hub into a creative precinct. It hosts exhibitions, workshops, and performances that engage the public with art in everyday spaces. This vibrant venue reflects Bangalore’s commitment to accessible and community-centred culture.
As one of South India’s largest art institutions, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath combines gallery spaces, a museum, and art school. It supports traditional and contemporary artists, offering exhibitions that explore regional craft alongside modern artistic trends. The campus regularly hosts festivals and workshops, making it a lively destination for cultural immersion.
This intimate gallery focuses on contemporary art with a personal, curated approach. It features solo and group exhibitions that highlight diverse mediums and voices. The space invites visitors to engage closely with artworks, fostering dialogue between artists and audiences.
The Kala Academy within the Chitrakala Parishath campus serves as a hub for performing arts and multidisciplinary exhibitions. It supports dance, theatre, and music alongside visual arts, offering a holistic experience of Bangalore’s creative ecology.
Project 88 is a contemporary art gallery known for fostering emerging talent and experimental practices. While its main space is in Mumbai, it occasionally partners with Bangalore artists and hosts pop-up exhibitions, contributing to the city’s vibrant contemporary scene.
A community-focused space, The ArtHouz provides studios, exhibition areas, and collaborative projects supporting socially engaged art. It acts as a platform for dialogue on social issues through creative practice, welcoming visitors interested in art with a purpose.
Though primarily a theatre venue, Ranga Shankara hosts visual art exhibitions and workshops, making it a multidisciplinary cultural space. Its programming reflects Bangalore’s thriving performance and visual arts scenes, fostering creative exchange.
Gallery Time and Space is a contemporary art space dedicated to fostering experimental and conceptual work by Indian and international artists. It supports interdisciplinary projects that challenge conventional art forms, often hosting thought-provoking exhibitions and artist talks. The gallery’s focus on pushing boundaries adds a vital dimension to Bangalore’s art scene.
Part gallery, part café, Dharmashala Art Cafe offers a relaxed environment where visitors can enjoy art alongside coffee and conversation. It showcases works by emerging artists, emphasizing community engagement and creative exchange. Its informal setting makes it a welcoming spot for travellers seeking accessible art experiences.
The Guild is a multidisciplinary arts space hosting exhibitions, workshops, and performances. It actively promotes contemporary art alongside traditional practices, creating a dynamic platform for artists and audiences to interact. Its programming often features collaborations with local craftspeople, bridging modern and heritage arts.
Slant Gallery champions contemporary Indian art with a commitment to showcasing new and experimental practices. It offers solo and group exhibitions that highlight emerging artists’ innovative approaches across mediums such as painting, sculpture, and video art. The gallery contributes significantly to Bangalore’s growing contemporary art network.
Lahe Lahe is a unique creative hub blending art, craft, and community activism. Known for its annual craft fair and residencies, it nurtures grassroots creativity and sustainable practices. The space hosts workshops and exhibitions that invite visitors to engage directly with makers and local traditions, offering a hands-on cultural experience.
Combining a bookstore, gallery, and performance space, Atta Galatta champions independent publishing and visual arts. Its curated exhibitions and events support local artists and writers, inviting visitors into Bangalore’s literary and artistic conversations.
Bangalore’s creative spaces and galleries offer travellers meaningful opportunities to explore the city’s artistic vitality and cultural diversity. Whether nestled in historic institutions or activated in unconventional settings, these venues reveal how Bangalore embraces innovation while honouring its roots.
Photo: 1 Shanthi Road Gallery, Bangalore by Mahendra Halawar
