Joburg boasts a thriving creative scene, from grassroots community art projects to world-class galleries and everything in between. It’s a feast for anyone who appreciates creative expression and full of opportunities to get involved as an artist, collector or enthusiast. It’s the best place for any creative to find their feet and hustle hard, and an excellent way for art lovers to find opportunities to appreciate the fruits of that creativity.
With a rich cultural depth and a knack for bringing out the best in the art world, Johannesburg is an incubator for creativity to thrive. This is our guide to the hottest art galleries and creative spaces in Joburg right now.
Keyes Art Mile
Famous for First Thursdays, Keyes Art Mile is a hub of creative community featuring a curated blend of art galleries, designer stores and gourmet eateries. Circa, Everard Reed, BKHZ Gallery, Aspire Fine Art Auctioneers and Gallery 1 are all within walking distance of one another, making this the perfect place for an afternoon out on foot, followed by a stop for a casual bite at BGR, appreciate the views from Momo Kuro, or something fancy at Marble.
Visit at 21 Keyes Avenue, Rosebank.
Latitudes
With an exclusive focus on African artists, Latitudes celebrates established and emerging artists from all over the continent. They host one of the most prolific art events in the city, the RMB Latitudes Art Fair. Celebrated as a leading platform for contemporary African art, the Fair brings together artists, galleries and cultural partners at the iconic Shepstone Gardens, encouraging meaningful engagement with art. Visit Latitudes at 12 Hope Street, Mountainview.
Standard Bank Art Gallery
Established in 1990, this international gallery features coveted collections from around Africa and the world. Featuring works by South African masters such as Irma Stern, the late Gerard Sekoto, and David Koloane. Additionally, it made history by being the first institution to show original works by a 20th-century European artist to South Africa, starting with the Marc Chagall exhibition in 2000, followed by Joan Miro in 2002, the record-breaking Picasso and Africa exhibition in 2006, and Henri Matisse: Rhythm and Meaning in 2016.
Find them at Cnr Simmonds and Frederick St, Marshalltown.
The Melrose Gallery of Johannesburg
The Melrose Gallery is one of South Africa's most dynamic contemporary galleries, championing artists from across the continent and the diaspora. Established in 2016, the gallery has developed a solid reputation for its local and international programme of exhibitions, art fairs, and museum shows. With a gallery located in Johannesburg and another opening in San Francisco in February 2026, The Melrose Gallery provides a valuable platform for the amplification of voices who reflect the depth and diversity of Pan African Contemporary Art.
Exclusive representatives of Esther Mahlangu, the globally acclaimed visual artist, our stable includes several of South Africa’s most established artists and an exciting young guard who are swiftly emerging to take their much deserved places on the global stage.
Check them out at 10 The High Street, Melrose Arch.
Johannesburg Art Museum
Since opening its doors in 1915, JAG’s Lutyens home on the edge of Joubert Park has remained at the epicentre of Johannesburg's art establishment. JAG boasts the largest public collection of modern and contemporary art in sub-Saharan Africa. It houses collections of 17th-century Dutch paintings, 18th- and 19th-century British and European art, 19th-century South African works, a large contemporary collection of 20th-century South African and international art, and a print portfolio containing works from the 15th century to the present.
Find them at Cnr Klein and King George Streets, Joubert Park.
Wits Art Museum
Wits Art Museum is a leading university art museum, in Johannesburg, dedicated to African art. The collection includes over 18 000 African artworks and the museum has an active exhibition and education programme. They exhibit the works of Wits art students in an annual showcase, which is an excellent place to spot upcoming and emerging contemporary artists for anyone looking to start their art collection.
Visit at Wits Art Museum Cnr Jorissen and Bertha St, Braamfontein.
Inside Out Centre for the Arts
The Inside Out Centre for the Arts is a not-for-profit foundation established by renowned artist-photographer Roger Ballen. It’s a unique cultural space dedicated to exploring the aesthetic, psychological, and socio-political complexities of the African continent. Situated in the heart of Johannesburg’s Forest Town, the Centre serves as both an inspiring art exhibition venue and a dynamic educational hub. Through thought-provoking exhibitions, the Inside Out Centre examines African issues from an artistic and documentary perspective, inviting visitors to reflect on the continent’s diverse narratives.
Pop in at 48 Jan Smuts Ave, Forest Town.
