The Carnegie Art Gallery in Newcastle was erected on the site of the town's public gallows in 1915. The gallery was converted into a museum in 1980, later gaining recognition as a much sought after art gallery in 1991.

The gallery has since been declared a National Monument, and displays fine examples of Victorian Classic Style architecture, remaining unchanged since its construction. The Carnegie Art Gallery is the only Museum in Northern KwaZulu-Natal region which promotes and collects visual art, and is also one of the twelve public art galleries in South Africa.

This municipally managed Carnegie Art Gallery houses a small yet diverse permanent collection of South African contemporary art, and displays a visible theme of landscape, while also focusing on the art and craft of the Newcastle region. The gallery's collection includes a variety of contemporary paintings, sculptures, ceramics, fibre art, numerous items of beadwork, weaving and wooden carvings by a number of renowned South African artists. The Carnegie Art Gallery also displays a unique and valuable collection of African art and Zulu cultural items.

Regular temporary exhibitions and art events are held at the Carnegie Art Gallery, and an ideal platform for the promotion of local arts and crafts is provided through its shop. The shop has a wide and interesting variety of other items for sale which include Zulu beadwork, gemstones, object d’art, Isiphethu hangings, wood carvings, traditional Zulu beer pots and various items crafted from waste materials such as telephone wire and papier mache.

The gallery is strongly committed to the development of arts and crafts in the Newcastle area, and regularly hosts numerous workshops for unemployed locals, highlighting craft development skills. One the community development projects undertaken by the gallery, called Isipethu, a Zulu word meaning "fountain" has received national acclaim, and sees local women producing magnificent hand embroidered and appliquéd images. This project began in l999 when a group of women from surrounding areas came together to sew a wall hanging for a Woman’s Day project organised by the gallery. The project inspired the women to continue creating these unique pieces.
The Carnegie Art Gallery is closed on Mondays, and re-opens on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 09:00 to 17:00. The gallery also opens on Saturdays between 09:00 and 12:00. For more information contact: Curator Judy Jordan or Assist.Curator Mondli:

Fax: +27 (034) 312 1570
Tel: +27 (034) 328 7622.
e-mail: gallery@newcastle.gov.za;