what is gallery night?
Let us introduce you to Providence, a city that’s overflowing with amazing art and artists! Gallery Night is an evening of free and open access to galleries, museums, and art spaces throughout the Creative Capital.
Gallery Night happens on the Third Thursday of every month from March through November, rain or shine. It’s easy to participate—you can come on a free guided trolley or walking tour that evening, or explore the galleries on your own!
TAKE A FREE GUIDED TOUR!
WHEN: On Gallery Night tours leave at various times from 5 pm through 7 pm.
WHAT: Led by our experienced guides, each tour visits 3 to 4 galleries and runs about 2 hours in length. We offer trolley tours, and in the warmer weather months, walking tours.
WHERE: Our hub at the Graduate Hotel in downtown Providence serves as the main access point for our trolley and walking tours. This season, each Gallery Night we also offer one tour that leaves from the WaterFire Arts Center on Valley Street.
HOW: Specific information for each tour is posted at least two weeks in advance on the Upcoming Events page. Half of the spots on each tour are available to reserve in advance, and the other half are for anyone who shows up the night of!
WHO: All are welcome!
OR…Explore and make your own tour!
WHEN: On Gallery Night from 5 to 9 pm. You can also visit our galleries outside of Gallery Night during their open hours.
WHAT: Create your own self-guided walking or driving tour!
WHERE: Providence galleries and museums are located throughout the city – downtown, the East Side, the West Side and places in between.
HOW: Visit any and all of our galleries on your own, either on Gallery Night, or during their open hours. Hours will differ for each gallery, so be sure to double check that before you head out! To make it easier, we post “make your own tour” ideas, including hours and parking information, two weeks before each Gallery Night.
WHO: All are welcome! If you need help deciding which galleries to visit, just stop by our hub at The Graduate during Gallery Night, and one of our volunteers can help you design your own walking or driving tour!
What might I see or do at Gallery Night?
Learn a bit of art history with our experienced tour guides.
Mix and mingle with artists, art collectors, curators, designers, and academics as they share their expertise and enthusiasm about Providence’s rich artistic community.
Meet new people! We have locals, folks from out of state, newcomers to the area, and people visiting from other countries, all touring the art scene!
See paintings, sculptures, and public art. Hear music or soundscapes. Taste light refreshments at some spaces.
Talk with artisans, painters, or photographers about their work that’s on display. Each gallery offers a unique art experience with changing exhibitions featuring local, national and international artists.
Explore creative spaces that you had no idea existed!
Other details
Questions on parking or accessibility? We’ve got you covered. Check out our Parking and Accessibility page for all the details!
Take the survey! If you participate in Gallery Night, we always appreciate it if you can take 2 minutes to complete our survey. Your responses help us with grant reporting, which in turn helps us keep Gallery Night free, fun, and accessible to all!
Other fun events. Occasionally we host other free events in addition to our usual Third Thursday Gallery Nights. Information about these will always be on the Upcoming Events tab.
“The thing I love about Gallery Night is how flexible it is. I’ve gone on trolley tours, and then on the 2nd stop found art that I LOVE and don’t want to leave that gallery. As long as I let the guide know, it’s totally fine to stay at the gallery and then make my own way home. Sometimes I just make my own walking tour with my favorite galleries, and then I run into the people on the trolley tours!”
“I love getting to meet other artists, looking at art, and just getting to connect with the community too!”