Crawford Art Gallery, the city art museum for Cork, is dedicated to informing a wide audience about the significant role that the visual arts play in contemporary life and culture. Located in the heart of the city, beside the Opera House, the Gallery is a critical part of Cork’s cultural and tourism infrastructure, welcoming over 200,000 visitors a year. In line with a policy of providing access to all sections of society, admission to the Gallery and to exhibitions is free.

The Gallery’s permanent collection comprises over 2000 works, ranging from eighteenth century Irish and European painting and sculpture, through to contemporary video installations. At the heart of the collection is a collection of Greek and Roman sculpture casts, brought to Cork in 1818 from the Vatican Museum in Rome. The collection is particularly strong in Irish art of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Through its temporary exhibitions, publications and education programmes, the Crawford Gallery is committed to fostering recognition, critical assessment, and acknowledgement of historical and contemporary art practice. The Gallery’s programming includes both Irish and international artists, reflecting the position of Ireland as a vital member of the EU and international community.

The Gallery serves a wide range of audiences, ranging from local communities in Cork, schools in the Munster region and visitors from Ireland and overseas. The Friends of the Crawford, a support organisation with over four hundred members, organises lectures and museum visits, both in Ireland and abroad. A wide range of cultural organisations are facilitated by the Gallery, including the RIAI, Crawford Piano Trio, Cork lunchtime concerts, the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society, the Cork Literary and Scientific Society and many others.

Crawford Art Gallery is an important social and educational venue not only for the people of Cork, but to national and international visitors. This has largely been achieved through a comprehensive programme of lectures, workshops, tours, and an exciting and challenging exhibition programme.

The Gallery is funded through the Department of Art Sport and Tourism.