Newcastle Contemporary Art (NCA) was founded with the ambition of creating a space that nurtures creativity, fosters innovation, and brings contemporary art to a wider audience. Rooted in a strong tradition of artistic excellence, the organisation is built on the principles of inclusivity, collaboration, and cultural exchange.
We envision NCA as an experimental, risk-taking cultural hub where contemporary and modern art is accessible, inclusive, and transformative. Our goal is to support and promote regional talent while fostering cultural exchange on a national and international scale. By embedding sustainability, diversity, and artistic excellence into our core practices, we aspire to make contemporary art a vital and impactful force within society. Through exhibitions, workshops, and partnerships, we seek to engage diverse audiences, encourage critical discourse, challenge perspectives and contribute to the cultural enrichment of Newcastle and beyond.
NCA is housed within the historic High Bridge Works, a space that has been home to experimental inventors and entrepreneurs since 1767. Our gallery occupies the top floor of a repurposed Edwardian warehouse, originally designed in 1903 by Newcastle-based architects Cackett and Burns. The building underwent a significant 10-million-pound refurbishment in 2011, led by Viennese architects Jabornegg & Pálffy, transforming it into a contemporary cultural hub with our striking daylight lit, purpose built gallery at its summit. With thirty-six studio spaces, the building is home to a dynamic community of visual artists, designers, architects, and creative professionals. This unique setting blends industrial heritage with contemporary innovation, providing an inspiring environment for artistic practice, experimentation, and public engagement.