Galway Arts Centre operates from two buildings both located in Galway city centre. In addition it operates in the various different communites in Galway city and county. Galway Arts Centre's gallery, box office, workshops and administrative headquarters are situated at 47 Dominick Street which is also home to the offices of Galway Youth Theatre. The second venue, a multi-use space, is programmed for performances, workshops and visual arts and can be found at 23 Nun's Island.

Galway Arts Centre's main aims and objectives are to encourage and nurture all forms of artistic activity, to facilitate emerging artists and arts groups, to heighten awareness of the arts via its education programme, to provide access to its facilities for all sectors of the community, to operate a non-exclusive pricing structure and to enhance the quality of civic life.