The City Art Centre has one of the best collections of Scottish art in the country.

This was acknowledged by the Scottish Government in October 2007, when the City Art Centre’s collection of Scottish Art was recognised to be of national significance, in a scheme managed by the Scottish Museums Council.

Its core is the collection of the Scottish Modern Arts Association, founded in 1907, and donated to the city in the early 1960s.

It contains key works by all the major Scottish artists from McTaggart to Eardley.

At the same time, Miss Jean F Watson established a Trust enabling the City Art Centre to continue to acquire work.

As a result the collection is exceptional. There are views of Edinburgh and portraits of citizens.

The Glasgow Boys are represented, as are the Scottish Colourists.

The collection includes works by the Edinburgh School including Gillies and Redpath, while the post-war generation is represented by Davie, Paolozzi, Blackadder and Bellany.

In 1997 the City Art Centre was given part of the Scottish Arts Council collection and has recently acquired challenging contemporary work through the National Collecting Scheme for Scotland.

The City Art Centre collection’s new status will ensure that it is cared for, protected and promoted to a wider audience.

Recognised will include iconic works from the collection, giving a taste of its range and diversity.

Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm - Closed Sunday

Running from 9th February to 19th April

The City Art Centre's licensed café can provide you with a cup of tea or coffee, or a three-course meal