The Dick Museum and Art Gallery

Opened in 1901, the Dick Institute is one of the most important cultural venues in the south-west of Scotland, featuring the largest museum and galleries space in Ayrshire as well as East Ayrshire's central library.

It has a programme of nationally important exhibitions, permanent displays of the museum's own diverse collections and innovative work by contemporary artists, film makers and young people from the area, giving the Dick Institute a growing reputation for the quality and scope of its exhibitions and events. Previous major exhibitions have included Miffy, Quentin Blake, Wallace and Gromit, Cutting Edge, Radical Nature and Bill Viola.

Many of Scotland’s leading contemporary artists including Kenny Hunter, Simon Ward and Christine Borland have been shown and creative commissioning programmes have supported artistic talent, by linking with major shows such as Ayrshire Innovators, Creative Burns and South By South West.

The South Museum and Loom Room feature stories of the local and social history of the area as well as a Johnnie Walker display featuring a selection of illustrations and objects from the company and from our own collections.

Creative Learning

Our Creative Learning programme is a place for our local community to discover new things - new skills, new friends, new ideas and aspirations.

Creative Learning uses the arts to develop creativity, unlock potential, explore diversity and celebrate identity.

Whether you’re young, and in love with theatre making, exploring your heritage or looking for new ways to excite and engage the students in your class; if you’re applying for a college placement or searching for an outlet for your creativity after a hard day at work – East Ayrshire Leisure has something for you!

Take part in our wide-ranging Creative Learning programme which covers areas of work including schools work, courses and classes for adults, talks and events, post show discussion, education packs and much more...