Located in Market Street (Edinburgh), next to Waverley Station and opposite the City Art Centre. Built as a fruit and vegetable market in 1938, the building was converted for the visual arts in 1974. Initially it was shared between the Scottish Arts Council, the New 57 Gallery and the Printmaker's Workshop. Its future assured, the independent Fruitmarket Gallery opened in 1984, dedicated to showing exhibitions of Scottish, British and international contemporary art. The gallery was refurbished in 1992 by Richard Murphy Architects and the notable glass facade was created at that time, along with the provision of a popular cafe and a bookshop. The gallery now attracts more than 130,000 visitors each year.
The Fruitmarket Gallery also runs an education programme designed to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of contemporary art.
