These 7 Art Galleries Are Housed Inside India's Historic Buildings

Art galleries are evolving, and not just because of the artists they showcase. Some of India's newest galleries are opening inside historic buildings that have stood for decades, and in some cases, centuries. Instead of purpose-built exhibition spaces, they're choosing heritage mansions, colonial landmarks, palace halls and old warehouses, allowing these structures to take on a new cultural role while retaining their original character.

So if you're someone who enjoys exploring museums, heritage buildings or contemporary art while travelling, these recently opened galleries and newly reimagined heritage spaces deserve a place on your itinerary.

Art Galleries Inside India's Historic Buildings

Gallery Maxima, Kitab Mahal, Mumbai

Opened on June 27, 2026, Gallery Maxima is located on the second floor of Kitab Mahal, one of the most recognisable buildings along Mumbai's Heritage Mile in Fort.

Dating back to the 1890s, the blue-grey neoclassical building has long been a landmark in South Mumbai. Visitors can enter through an oversized crimson door before making their way upstairs into the new gallery.

Launched by curator Sunaina Rajan, Gallery Maxima opened with a debut solo exhibition called Dream Girl by Maithili Chaturvedi. The gallery is dedicated entirely to cutting-edge contemporary South Asian art, creating an interesting contrast between experimental works and the building's elegant historic arcades. It is one of Mumbai's newest additions to its thriving contemporary art scene.

Address: 2nd Floor, Kitab Mahal, D Sukhadwala Road, Fort, Mumbai

On View: Dream Girl

On View Until: August 1, 2026

Timings: Tuesday–Saturday; 10.30am - 6.30pm

Nature Morte, Mumbai

Located inside a landmark Art Deco building called Dhanraj Mahal, Nature Morte pairs contemporary art with one of South Mumbai's most distinctive architectural settings. The gallery's soaring ceilings and restored interiors make it worth visiting even before you step into the exhibition.

Currently on view is Dear Tiger, a solo exhibition by Bhutanese contemporary artist Zimbiri. Known for her signature combination of traditional Bhutanese materials like hand-woven canvas (reco) and earth pigments with modern minimalist lines, her works create a visual dialogue against the gallery's high-ceilinged interiors.

Address: Dhanraj Mahal, Third Floor, Block A, Apollo Bunder, Colaba, Mumbai (Near Gateway of India)

Exhibition: Dear Tiger by Zimbiri

On View Until: July 18, 2026

Muziris Contemporary, Colaba, Mumbai

Set inside the heritage Arsiwala Mansion on Wodehouse Road, Muziris Contemporary brings contemporary South Asian art into one of Mumbai's historic neighbourhoods. The gallery makes the most of the building's original architectural features, allowing old and new to exist comfortably side by side.

Its current exhibition, Holding Space, features works by Angel Baiju, Harsimran C. Juneja and Meera George, among others. Through layered materials and mixed media, the exhibition explores themes of faith, memory and desire, inviting visitors to reflect on the ways people hold on to places, emotions and identities.

Address: 21, Arsiwala Mansion, Wodehouse Road, Colaba, Mumbai

Exhibition: Holding Space

On View Until: July 31, 2026

Timings: Tuesday–Saturday; 11:00 AM–7:00 PM

KAASH Art Gallery, Bengaluru

KAASH Art Gallery is located in Langford Town inside a restored 19th-century colonial bungalow. It offers a glimpse into old Bengaluru's architectural heritage and has preserved original high rafters, vintage tile work and a garden setting, creating a unique backdrop for contemporary art exhibitions.

Currently on view is Earth Offerings, curated by Veeranganakumari Solanki. The exhibition brings together sculptural ceramic works and totem-inspired installations by Savia Mahajan, Fastin Pedros and Thembi Nala, exploring the relationship between material, memory and the natural world.

Address: 2, Berlie Street, Langford Town, Bengaluru

Exhibition: Earth Offerings

On View Until: July 19, 2026

Timings: Tuesday–Sunday; 11:00 AM–7:00 PM (Closed Mondays)

NGMA Annexe, Red Fort Barracks, Old Delhi

The newest extension of the National Gallery of Modern Art is housed inside the 19th-century military barracks within Delhi's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Red Fort. Once built to accommodate British soldiers, the restored buildings now display one of India's most important collections of modern art.

The annexe opened with Anta Asti Prarambh and Wings of Modernity, featuring around 500 works from the Air India Art Collection. The exhibitions rotate regularly, offering visitors a glimpse into one of the country's most celebrated art collections.

Address: Red Fort Barracks A1 & A2, Red Fort, Old Delhi

Exhibition: Artworks by M.F. Husain, S.H. Raza, and B. Prabha

Timings: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Closed on Mondays)

National Gallery of Modern Art, Jaipur House, New Delhi

Before becoming one of India's leading art museums, Jaipur House served as the royal residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur. Built in 1936, the distinctive butterfly-shaped building now houses the National Gallery of Modern Art.

Its permanent collection spans nearly 150 years of Indian art, bringing together works by artists including Amrita Sher-Gil, Raja Ravi Varma and Rabindranath Tagore. It's an ideal stop for anyone looking to explore the evolution of modern Indian art in one place.

Address: Jaipur House, India Gate, New Delhi

Exhibition: Masterpieces by Amrita Sher-Gil, Raja Ravi Varma, and Rabindranath Tagore

Timings: Tuesday–Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday–Sunday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)

Experimenter, Ballygunge, Kolkata

Part gallery and part heritage home, Experimenter occupies a 1930s European-style mansion in Ballygunge. Rather than altering the building, the gallery has worked around its original features, from the red-oxide floors to the airy rooms and leafy courtyard.

Opening on July 16, 2026, is a highly anticipated new solo exhibition by artist Biraaj Dodiya titled Grid for a Disappearance. The exhibition brings together an ambitious new body of work that combines painted steel sculptures, photographs, and oil paintings on linen.

Address: 45 Ballygunge Place, Kolkata, 700019

Exhibition: The Architecture of Shifting Ground

On View Until: July 25, 2026

Timings: Monday–Saturday; 11:00 AM–7:00 PM (Closed Sundays)

FAQs

1. Which are the newest art galleries in India?

Some of the newest include Gallery Maxima in Mumbai and the NGMA Annexe at the Red Fort Barracks in Delhi.

2. Where is Gallery Maxima located?

Gallery Maxima is located on the second floor of the historic Kitab Mahal in Mumbai's Fort district.

3. What is special about Nature Morte Mumbai?

Nature Morte is housed inside the iconic Art Deco Dhanraj Mahal and showcases contemporary South Asian art in a heritage setting.

4. What exhibitions are currently on view at the NGMA Annexe?

The annexe features rotating exhibitions from the Air India Art Collection, including works by leading Indian modern artists.

5. Why are heritage buildings being converted into art galleries?

Repurposing historic buildings preserves architectural heritage while creating dynamic cultural spaces for exhibitions, public engagement and tourism.