Portland’s creative energy reaches across the city. Stroll from Congress Street to the Old Port and East Bayside, where local galleries showcase some of Maine’s finest in contemporary craft, photography, and fine art. From carefully curated museum-quality exhibitions to cultural spaces supporting emerging artists, these five destinations offer just a glimpse into the city’s thriving art scene. It’s the perfect day out for collectors, enthusiasts, or those simply exploring Portland as a hub where culture, design, and everyday living intersect.
Portland Art Gallery
In the heart of the Old Port at 154 Middle Street, Portland Art Gallery presents a strong cross-section of contemporary work from more than fifty Maine artists across painting, sculpture, and mixed media. The gallery is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and its schedule moves at a steady pace with new exhibitions and a standing First Thursday opening reception from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Staff are on hand seven days a week and online around the clock, which makes it an easy first stop for collectors and a welcoming entry point for anyone exploring Maine art. The gallery also produces the ongoing “Radio Maine” interview series with Dr. Lisa Belisle, offering studio-level conversations that add context to the work on the walls and a direct line to the artists behind it.
Portland Museum of Art + Winslow Homer Studio
The Portland Museum of Art anchors the cities Arts District with a collection that spans the 18th century to today, including signature works by Marsden Hartley and Winslow Homer. For a memorable coastal add-on, reserve the guided Winslow Homer Studio tour in nearby Prouts Neck; tours operate May 1 to November 9, 2025, beginning at the museum it also includes round-trip transportation, and comes with PMA admission.
Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA&D
Inside MECA&D’s landmark Porteous Building at 522 Congress Street, the ICA presents curated exhibitions by living artists alongside talks and public programs. It serves as a teaching gallery for the college and a forum for contemporary ideas in Portland’s Arts District. Admission is always free; hours are Wednesday to Sunday 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with Thursday evenings until 7:00 p.m.
Cove Street Arts
In East Bayside at 71 Cove Street, this 8,000-square-foot venue features multiple galleries, a bookstore/small-works space, event and workshop areas, and a retractable screen for film and video installations. Hours are Tuesday–Friday 10:00–5:30 and Saturday 10:00–5:00 (closed Sunday–Monday). Founded in 2019 by the team behind Greenhut Galleries, it focuses on Maine art with rotating exhibitions and programs.
Greenhut Galleries
In the Old Port at 146 Middle Street, Greenhut Galleries has been Portland’s oldest year-round gallery since 1977. The program centers on Maine contemporary artists with monthly solo shows alongside rotating group exhibitions. Hours are Monday–Friday 10:00–5:30 and Saturday 10:00–5:00.
Whether you’re looking for a weekend escape or a place to call home, our selection of Portland condominiums offers effortless access to the city’s galleries, cafés, and waterfront.
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