BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art (BALTIC) is a major international centre for contemporary art to rival London's Tate Modern. Unlike the Tate, there are no permanent exhibitions, but the constantly rotating shows feature the work and installations of some of contemporary art's biggest names.
It is part of the Quayside development in Gateshead along with the Millennium Bridge - the world's first tilting bridge - and The Glasshouse International Centre for Music.
The complex also boasts artists in residence, a performance space, a cinema, a bar, and a ground-floor restaurant with riverside tables. There's also a viewing box for admiring the finest of Tyneside panoramas. The spectacular, Michelin-accredited, rooftop restaurant Six Rooftop (required reservations) unfortunately closed in February 2026.
History
The idea for BALTIC began in 1991, when Northern Arts (now part of Arts Council England North East) announced plans to create major new facilities for contemporary visual arts in central Tyneside.
With the guidance of BALTIC's first director, Sune Nordgren, construction started in 1998. Only the north and south façades of the original 1950s building were kept.
Dominic Williams of Ellis Williams Architects led the transformation of the former flour mill into the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art.
The redevelopment cost was funded through National Lottery funds in addition to money from Gateshead Council, Northern Rock Foundation, the European Regional Development Fund and One NorthEast.
The redevelopment won a number of architectural and artistic awards including the a RIBA award in 2003, a Civic Trust Award in 2004, and the National Lottery Awards prize for Best Arts Project in 2012.
Exhibitions
The BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art presents an ever-changing programme of contemporary exhibitions, featuring everything from large-scale installations to film and multimedia works.
Recent exhibitions have included How I Am Monument by Ali Cherri, which combined sculpture, film and found objects to explore themes of history, memory and resilience. Another major show, Saodat Ismailova: As We Fade by Saodat Ismailova, brought together atmospheric film works blending ritual imagery with cultural history.
In previous years, the gallery also hosted the Turner Prize - the first time it had been staged outside London - attracting large audiences to see work by leading contemporary artists. Together, these exhibitions highlight BALTIC's reputation as a vibrant venue for innovative international art and ambitious new commissions.
Access & Hours
Gateshead Quays
South Shore Road
Gateshead
NE8 3BA
Tel: 0191 478 1810
www: baltic.art
The nearest railway station is Newcastle Central about 20 minutes on foot. Gateshead metro station is just a 15-minute walk away. Gateshead Bus Interchange or Newcastle Central Station are the nearest bus stations. Take a Voltra 53 or Voltra 54 bus from either station.
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 10 am to 6 pm (free entry).
There is also a cafe - Baltic Kitchen - serving breakfasts, lunches and snacks and the Front Room, a free community space with Wifi.
Nearby
The Glasshouse International Centre for Music is an international centre for musical concerts and education on the Gateshead bank of Quayside on the River Tyne. The impressive Glasshouse is home to the Royal Northern Sinfonia, the UK's sole full-time chamber orchestra and Folkworks which promotes the folk music of the North East.
Gateshead Millennium Bridge stands close to Tyne Bridge. Both bridges are illuminated at night.
Hotels
If you wish to stay in and around this increasingly trendy area of Newcastle and Gateshead there are several recommended options. These include the four star Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, the three star Ramada Encore by Wyndham Newcastle-Gateshead and Jurys Inn Newcastle Quayside.
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