Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums’ (AAGM) annual review 2025-26 celebrates some of the highlights from a busy year of exhibitions, events and engagement programmes across the Beach Ballroom, Art Gallery, Maritime Museum, Provost Skene’s House, Archives and Treasure Hub.
The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen provided a bumper start to the year with a 150% increase to venue footfall and 2,227 visitors taking part in maritime-themed activities tours and games during the Tall Ships weekend. The Beach Ballroom is a new addition to this year’s annual review, celebrating the venue’s many achievements alongside the council’s other cultural buildings.
Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesperson, said: “The latest Annual Review from Aberdeen Archives, Gallery and Museums is a fantastic way to capture the team’s many successes over the past 12 months. This is a splendid opportunity to celebrate the wide variety of exhibitions, activities and events on offer through the year. Our city’s remarkable collection and superb venues stand out as some of Aberdeen’s greatest cultural assets. I hope this will encourage more people to visit and enjoy our local artistic heritage.”
Councillor Miranda Radley, Aberdeen City Council’s tourism spokesperson and VisitAberdeenshire Council Director, said: “AAGM’s Annual Review is a great opportunity to highlight the exceptional work taking place in Aberdeen. Attendance figures from previous years show a steady growth in annual footfall, recently boosted by Tall Ships and an increased number of cruise ship visits. It’s wonderful to read the visitor feedback and recognise that our venues remain a huge draw for visitors to the city.”
Highlights from 2025-26 include the William Syson Travel Fund Initiative which provided free travel and facilitated visits for 673 school pupils, and working with National Museums Scotland to host a highlight loan of Mary, Queen of Scots’ silver casket which was visited by over 29,000 people. AAGM’s impact extends far beyond their venues, with Aberdeen’s remarkable collection of art and social history being viewed online over 4 million times this year.
The year at a glance:
- 405,238 admissions to venues
- 224,232 Art Gallery admissions
- 79,989 Beach Ballroom
- 81,417 Maritime Museum admissions
- 19,051 Provost Skene’s House admissions
- 22,842 participants in public programme events
- 6,648 pupil visits across venues
- Gold-level Green Tourism Awards for the Art Gallery, Maritime Museum, Provost Skene’s House and Treasure Hub
- 116 new objects and documents acquired, including Chaise, a striking self-portrait by leading British painter Celia Paul.
- 193 registered volunteers who contributed 3,681.5 hours, including an audit of over 15,000 items in the collection and sharing collection care activities with members of the public through the unique ‘conservation in action’ programme.
- £52,886 grant funding secured, including £11,4690 funding from the Friends of AAGM to support new acquisitions, commissions, conservation and events.
- Commercial income totalling £2,156,656 includes income from venue hire, private events and café and retail sales.