National Art Gallery of Jamaica

The National Gallery of Jamaica is located on the Waterfront in Downtown Kingston and is well worth a visit. The entrance is found on Orange Street, where a large statue sits outside the entrance. Internally the layout of the Gallery is light and airy with an open plan area downstairs with double height ceiling which is utilised for exhibitions. There is an unusual double staircase leading up to the second floor which due to the double height ceiling, forms a mezzanine floor, come wrap around balcony effect, enabling you to look down to the open plan floor below. This would give a great birds eye view of the proceedings when an exhibition is being held. The mezzanine floor has artworks along all the walls, with several rooms extending from it that house the permanent collections. The National Gallery houses different genres of art to appeal to all ages and tastes, from Taino artworks and artifacts, to work from Edna Manley and the great Mallica ‘Kapo’ Reynolds, to modern and contemporary artworks.

The permanent Galleries include:

Art in Jamaica, c1000 – c1900.
Jamaican Art – The Twentieth Century.
The Edna Manley Gallery.
The ‘Kapo’ Gallery.
The AD Scott Collection.

Where to get the National Gallery of Jamaica Latest Updates

There is also a regular exhibition programme, which is advertised on the National Gallery of Jamaica Blog which compliments the Permanent Galleries and takes over the main space in the gallery. You can also check out the newly refurbished National Gallery of Jamaica Website which gives more information about the galleries and the artists. Although the National Gallery is not vast in size, the overall quality of the content of the Gallery more than makes up for it, and the visit can easily be tacked onto a day of sight seeing in Kingston. Depending on how much of an art aficionado you are you could view the Gallery in a couple of hours, non-withstanding visits to the Coffee Shop, come Gift Shop, which you pass through on the way out. I love this Gallery and cannot wait to visit again.

General Information about the National Gallery of Jamaica

Opening hours:

Tuesdays to Thursdays: 10 am to 4:30 pm
Fridays: 10 am to 4 pm
Saturdays: 10 am to 3 pm
Last Sundays: the NGJ is open every last Sunday of the month, 11 am to 4 pm

Admission:

Adults: JA$400
Senior Citizens and Teachers accompanying student groups: JA$200
Children and Students with ID: free
Guided tours: JA$3,000 (general); JA$2,000 (schools) – by appointment only

Contact Numbers:

1.876.922-1561/3 (Lime fixed line);

1.876.618-0654/5 (Digicel fixed line)

Location of the NATIONAL GALLERY OF JAMAICA

12 Ocean Boulevard, Kingston (entrance on Orange Street). On the waterfront in Kingston, look out for the large Digicel building which is located nearby.

Food and Drinks:

As a general rule, food and drinks are not allowed in the galleries and refreshments can be bought and consumed in our coffee shop. During receptions and other functions, food and drinks may be allowed in certain designated areas.

Bags:

Large bags and backpacks are not allowed inside the NGJ and must be left with the security desk. Our Security Staff is authorised to search handbags, parcels or other items being taken into or out of the NGJ and we ask for your kind co-operation when a search is requested.

Parking:

Parking is usually available on the adjoining UDC parking lot. An hourly rate applies on weekdays – free on Saturdays. Entrance to the parking lot is on Orange street, first entrance on the left after passing the NGJ building.

Curbside parking is not permitted in most of the areas around the NGJ.

Disclaimer:

ALL IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT OF THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF JAMAICA AND HAVE BEEN REPRODUCED ON THIS WEBSITE FOR PURPOSES OF ILLUSTRATION ONLY. WE TAKE NO CREDIT FOR THESE IMAGES.