Visit the Counihan Gallery

About the Counihan Gallery

The Counihan Gallery is a free public gallery located in the heart of Brunswick.

The Counihan Gallery opened in 1999. We are named in honour of the Australian artist and activist Noel Counihan (1913-1986), who was a champion of social justice and a vocal supporter of free speech.  

Our exhibition program reflects our commitment to political activation, sustainability, and creative expression.  

The Counihan Gallery acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waterways in the area known as Merri-bek. We recognise their continuous connection to culture, community and Country and embrace their traditional and contemporary cultural and creative expression. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging, and to all First Nations people who are part of the community today.

Counihan Gallery opening hours

We are open Wednesday to Saturday from 11am to 5pm. On Sundays we are open from 1pm to 5pm.

The Counihan Gallery is closed on public holidays and from mid-December to early February.

The Counihan Gallery is free to visit.

Counihan Gallery group booking information

Bookings are preferred for groups of 10 people or more.

Bookings can also be made to visit the Gallery outside business hours. Bookings outside business hours must be requested and confirmed in advance.

You can register your free booking with us by filling out the Counihan Gallery’s group booking form on Microsoft Forms.

For booking enquiries or cancellations, please email CounihanGallery@merri-bek.vic.gov.au or call us on 9389 8622. 

We also offer free learning programs for education and care providers. For more information, please visit our Learning at the Counihan Gallery page.

Counihan Gallery’s COVID-19 safety measures

The Counihan Gallery is following health guidelines issued by the Victorian Government. We have implemented measures to ensure everybody is safe during their visit to the Gallery. 

To help keep our community safe, we ask that you: 

  • Do not visit the Gallery if you are unwell or have experienced cold or flu symptoms in the last 14 days
  • Bring a mask with you in case you are unable to maintain social distancing during your visit
  • Use the hand sanitiser provided on entry and exit, and before touching any interactive artworks
  • Maintain at least 1.5 metres distance between yourself and others
  • Email CounihanGallery@merri-bek.vic.gov.au or call 9389 8622 if you intend to visit the Gallery in a group of more than 10 people

The Counihan Gallery is also conducting thorough and regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces.

Contact the Counihan Gallery

You can contact us by emailing CounihanGallery@merri-bek.vic.gov.au or calling 9389 8622.

You can also connect with us on:

Location of the Counihan Gallery

The Counihan Gallery is located at 233 Sydney Road, Brunswick.

The Counihan Gallery is inside the Brunswick Town Hall. 

The building is near the corner of the Sydney Road and Dawson Street intersection. Enter through glass sliding doors on Sydney Road. The Gallery is to the left of the Brunswick Customer Service Centre.

Transport options to get to the Counihan Gallery 

  • Catch the Route 19 tram and get off the Dawson Street and Sydney Road intersection (Stop 21).

    Route 19 has an accessible stop at Brunswick Road (Stop 19). Route 19 is serviced by low floor trams. 

     

  • Catch a train on the Upfield line and get off at Jewell or Brunswick train station. Both stations are 550 metres from the Gallery.

    Jewel Station is wheelchair accessible. 

  • Bus routes 504, 506, 508 and 509 have stops on nearby streets off Sydney Road.

  • Upfield bike path is a five minute ride to the Gallery. Exit the bike path at Dawson Street.

  • There is a public car park on Dawson street. It has 80 spaces. The spaces are ticketed on weekdays. The spaces are free on the weekend.

    There is one free disabled car space in front of the Counihan Gallery. This carpark is not available from 4pm to 6pm daily because is part of a tow-away zone.

Join the Counihan Gallery mailing list

Stay up-to-date on the latest news, exhibitions and events happening at Counihan Gallery by subscribing to our eNewsletter.

Subscribe to our eNewsletter

The Counihan Gallery’s Strategic Plan 

Over the next five years, the Counihan Gallery aims to realise its vision and mission through the achievement of the following five pillars: Representation, Advocacy, Inclusion, Sustainability and Education (RAISE).

  • To encourage intercultural participation by artists and cultural groups from diverse backgrounds in programming, publicity and exhibitions; and continue to celebrate and ensure that the stories of the Traditional Owners continue to be told and promoted.

  • To promote and reinforce positive social and cultural change; and continue to advocate on behalf of artists, and for the importance of arts to the broader community.

  • To work to actively remove physical and social barriers, and/or the perception of barriers; and continue efforts to ensure that gender, age, sexual orientation, different ability and income are not barriers to arts practice or participation.

  • To invest resources and attention toward operational, environmental and economic sustainability in order to maintain Council’s investment in visual arts for the community and drive future change.

  • To support and provide artists with professional development opportunities in line with best practice standards and cultivate the arts through a range of learning and participation opportunities for the local community.

These pillars encapsulate all areas of the Gallery’s business operations and commitments.

You can read our full Counihan Gallery Strategic Plan 2020-2025 (PDF) to find out more.

Merri-bek Art Collection

The Counihan Gallery manages the care and development of the Merri-bek Art Collection. You can find out more on our Merri-bek Art Collection page.