Mercer Art Gallery

Promenade in the footsteps of early spa visitors as you view exciting exhibitions in the Mercer Art Gallery, from Harrogate’s Fine Art Collection to new shows of contemporary art.

Built 200 years ago as the Promenade Rooms, this magnificent building was a place for spa visitors to socialise. It later became a theatre, then Town Hall, before its rebirth as the Mercer Art Gallery in 1991.

You will find a wide range of ever-changing exhibitions, perhaps a national touring show of painting, photography, sculpture and crafts, or an exhibition drawn from the Harrogate District Fine Art Collection, and contemporary work by regional artists.

Exhibitions:

Aesthetica Art Prize 20

Defining the Future of Contemporary Art
Part II: Perception
2 May 2026 - 6 September 2026

The Aesthetica Art Prize is one of the UK’s leading contemporary art exhibitions, bringing artists and audiences together to experience work that is inventive, reflective and transformative. This year, 50 artists working across immersive installation, mixed-media, painting, photography, sculpture and video present work across four galleries in North Yorkshire, offering insight into ideas shaping global cultural conversations.
Marking its 20th anniversary, the Prize celebrates two decades of supporting emerging and established artists, connecting them with audiences, curators and collectors worldwide. Since 2006, it has become a benchmark for innovation, critical debate and artistic discovery, amplifying voices that challenge assumptions and expand contemporary methodology.
Aesthetica Art Prize 20 reflects on twenty years of contemporary art while looking ahead, demonstrating how cultural platforms shape discourse, inspire action and expand creative possibility. This anniversary edition affirms the Prize’s role in shaping the future of artistic practice.
The exhibition addresses defining issues of our time, including the climate crisis, colonial legacies, social and political inequities, technological change and questions of identity and belonging. The works connect personal experience with collective realities, revealing hidden structures and amplifying under-represented narratives. Here, art functions not as reflection but as intervention, reshaping how we understand the world.
This exhibition spans four galleries: Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate; Skipton Town Hall; Scarborough Art Gallery; and Woodend, Scarborough and is split into four sections: Perception, Intervention, Transformation and Future(s). Aesthetica is delighted to work with North Yorkshire Council to bring contemporary art to these cultural venues.

Explore the gallery gift shop for a thoughtfully curated selection of high-quality and unique items. With gifts, books, stylish homeware, souvenirs, and greeting cards – perfect for treats and presents alike.

Card payments only.