Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art

What is Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art?

Formerly a flour mill, Gateshead’s BALTIC Centre now houses the finest contemporary visual art. Year round, visitors can explore outstanding exhibitions, artist talks, performances and activities for FREE! There’s no booking needed. 

You can find the Baltic Centre for Contemporary art on the Gateshead bank of the River Tyne. It’s one of the many awesome cultural hotspots NewcastleGateshead Quayside has to offer. 

What Can I do at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art?

Experience provocative visual art

Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art pride themselves on housing diverse exhibitions. Their gallery truly is a wonder to explore. Here, you really can get lost in over 2,600 square metres of the latest visual art.

Sit and Snack for FREE in Baltic’s Front Room

There’s not many things better than free art. Other than free snacks of course. After you’ve marvelled at the latest in contemporary art, why not sit and snack in the Baltic’s front room? 

Free tea, coffee and snacks are available, as well as a comfy seat. However, if you do feel like donating for your goodies of choice, the Baltic won’t refuse. If you’ve come prepared, you can also peck away at your own picnic. It’s the perfect place to muse on what you’ve just seen or chat about life. 

Currently, every Thursday from 2-4pm, there will be a creative activity taking place in the Front Room. The activities are aimed at ages 9-16 years, although everyone is invited to give them a crack! See what’s coming up here. 

Soak in stunning scenes of the NewcastleGateshead Quayside

Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art offers one of the best views of the NewcastleGateshead Quayside. You can view from outside on Level 4 or inside on Level 5. Either way, you’ll get stunning views of The Sage, Millennium and Tyne Bridge, and the rest of the Quayside. 

Have an awesome day of family fun 

As you can imagine, the Baltic is a great free fun family day out. There are tons of activities on offer. 

Young visitors can explore the world through play in Toddler Time. The Sensory Room is a quiet space, perfect for the smallest humans. For kids age 5-12, meet & make and meet & re-make are awesome (and FREE) artist led workshops. There’s even ArtMix for 13-19 year olds. 

Baltic’s learning lounge also offers a relaxed learning space. Here, families can enjoy games, play and get artsy! Our favourite activity, however, has to be Hula Fridays. Because hula hoops are a whole lot of fun for all ages. 

For all family-based activities, have a look at Baltic’s Family Events page 

Bag yourself a gift in the Baltic Shop 

BALTIC Shop has plenty of gifts available. A range of prints, jewellery, homeware items and objects from UK artists can be bought. Somewhere in there, there’s the perfect gift to remember your trip by. 

Dine with a view at BALTIC Gateshead’s SIX Restaurant

SIX may just be the eatery with the best views of the NewcastleGateshead quayside. The restaurant can be found on the sixth floor of the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. Hence the name. Whether it’s afternoon tea or evening dining, you’re guaranteed sweeping city views. Take a look at their different menus here. 

Take a FREE Tour

The team at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art offer a range of fantastic tours. And, again, they’re free. 

Explore areas usually out of bounds in the Behind the Scenes tour. You can also drop-in for a guided Spotlight Tour to find out more about the Baltic’s latest exhibitions. 

Alternatively, the Baltic team also offers tours to wildlife lovers and wanderers. Find out about the furthest inland kittiwake colony in the Kittiwake Tour. Or, stroll the NewcastleGateshead Quayside and learn about local history in the Quayside Tour. 

Most tours are drop-in with no need to book. However, you will have to book for the Quayside Tour. For times and further details, visit the Baltic website. 

Accessibility

Accessible Toilets

• The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art has accessible toilets on all floors, except level 5. 
• All dedicated disabled toilets feature clos-o-mat toilets.
• There are also baby changing facilities available. You can find baby changes in the Learning Lounge, Event Space and Ground Floor. 
• Additionally, the BALTIC has adult changing facilities. Although booking for this is advised. 
• Nappies, wet wipes and other sanitary products are available free upon request. 

Disabled Parking

• Disabled parking is FREE at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art. Visitors just need to contact security via the intercom on exit to validate their ticket. 
• Disabled parking spaces are available in the BALTIC Car Park. 

General Accessibility Information

• All 4 of BALTIC Gateshead’s exhibition spaces are fully accessible. 
• There are lifts to all floors of the building
• Hearing loops can be found at the Hello Desk, BALTIC Shop and BALTIC Kitchen.
• Assistance dogs are welcomed in the BALTIC. 
• Large Print guides can be provided as required.
• There are subtitles available on a selection of BALTIC films (Level 2)
• Braille, audiotape, descriptive tours and BSL tours are available on request prior to your visit. 
• IMacs with access facilities are available in the BALTIC Library. As well as a Magnilink print enlarger. Booking is advice for the latter!
• Wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walking stick tools and Tri-wheel walkers are also available to book. 

Looking for more Arts & Culture in Gateshead? The Sage Gateshead is a stone’s throw away from BALTIC. Why not take in a concert or gig at a world class music venue?