On a budget? Not to worry - London is swarming with opportunities to immerse yourself in it's vibrant art scene for free. It's just a matter of knowing where to look...
Keep up with art world newsletters
In our article, The 5 Best Weekly Art World Newsletters To Keep You In The Loop, we broke down our favourite newsletters that keep your inbox full of the (often free!) happenings of London’s galleries, as well as insightful interviews and industry news from the likes of The Shared Drive.
If you’re particularly interested in a comprehensive guide as to many of the London-based exhibitions and openings happening on a weekly basis, we recommend Seb’s Art List. “It has been made for those who make, buy, love and work in art”
For a more curated guide, we recommend Londonist: Urban Palette - the weekly Newsletter from Art Critic Tabish Khan. In his words, “a man so into his art that he visits over 1,000 museums and galleries every year”. Find more of his recommendations over on FAD Magazine, where he regularly contributes.
BRUSHWRK’s monthly exhibitions guide
Featuring many free exhibitions from both the BRUSHWRK community of artists and the wider London art scene, our monthly ‘Exhibitions Not To Miss’ guide over on the BRUSHWRK blog is your no-fuss overview of the coming month of art. Keep up with the monthly posts via BRUSHWRK's Instagram.
Tate membership
For just £7.50 a month (though not entirely free, stick with us!), gain access to all Tate exhibitions, visit the gallery in members only hours, relax in the members rooms and attend members only events. It’s a total steal in our books.
During events like the London Design Festival, Frieze Art Fair, or London Fashion Week, some exhibitions are free to the public or offer special access
Have your eye on free events taking place through our previously recommended newsletters and through following organiser’s social media directly. Start by dropping a follow to: London Art Week, Frieze, Open House Festival and London Design Festival.
Major London galleries that offer free entry year-round:
Tate Modern
Free Entry: The permanent collection is free for all visitors, including students.
Temporary Exhibitions: While temporary exhibitions usually require a ticket, you can sign up to become a Tate member from £7.50 a month.
Student Perks: You can access special events, such as Tate Lates, where entry to certain exhibitions is free.
Tate Britain
Free Entry: Like Tate Modern, Tate Britain’s permanent collection is free for all, including students.
Temporary Exhibitions: Discounts for students apply to paid exhibitions.
Student Discount: You can also enjoy a discount in the Tate's shops and cafés with a student card.
The National Gallery
Free Entry: The National Gallery offers free entry to its permanent collection.
Special Exhibitions: Student tickets for temporary exhibitions are often discounted.
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
Free Entry: The V&A’s permanent collection is free to visit, including its galleries focused on fashion, design, and the decorative arts.
Special Exhibitions: Students often receive discounted tickets for temporary exhibitions (around £5 or £10 depending on the exhibition).
Free Events: The V&A also runs free public events, including lectures and workshops.
The British Museum
Free Entry: The British Museum’s collection is free to explore.
Special Exhibitions: While most major exhibitions require a ticket, students can often access discounts.
Whitechapel Gallery
Free Entry: The Whitechapel Gallery is a contemporary art gallery in East London that offers free entry to all visitors for its exhibitions.
Special Events: They often run events, screenings, and talks that are free to students.
The Serpentine Galleries
Free Entry: Both Serpentine Pavilion and Serpentine Gallery in Hyde Park offer free entry to their exhibitions, including contemporary art installations.
Barbican Art Gallery
Free Entry: The Barbican’s major exhibitions are usually ticketed, but the Art Gallery and Curve Gallery (which shows rotating contemporary installations) are free.
Discounts: Students can get discounts on paid exhibitions, and many of the Barbican's free events are perfect for students interested in contemporary art, design, and architecture.
Southbank Centre
Free Entry: The Southbank Centre hosts free exhibitions in its Hayward Gallery and other spaces. The Hayward Gallery has regular exhibitions, though not all of them are free.
Discounts for Students: Reduced-price tickets are available for students, and there are free events like festivals, talks, and performances.
The Photographers' Gallery
Free Entry: Admission to the ground floor of this gallery is free.
Student Discounts: For major exhibitions, students get a discounted entry price.
London College of Communication (LCC)
Free Entry: Many of the exhibitions at the LCC, which focuses on media, design, and arts, are free and open to students and the public.
If you enjoyed this article, make sure to check out our other blog posts including Artist Spotlight interviews and more over on https://www.brushwrk.co.uk/blog and whilst you’re there, why not have a look through all of the fantastic art we have for sale from emerging artists? Pop into the website to see what catches your eye...
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