Barber Institute of Fine Arts

About the museum

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts was founded in 1932 by Lady Barber, who wanted to make a lasting gift to Birmingham in memory of her husband, the property developer Sir Henry Barber. She set up the institute for the study and encouragement of art and music, and left her fortune to its trustees so that they could build a new building, buy works of art and fund public concerts. She died four months after the founding.

The building was designed by the architect Robert Atkinson and opened by Queen Mary in 1939. It is one of Birmingham's finest Art Deco buildings and is arranged around a central concert hall, with the galleries on the first floor reached by a travertine staircase. It was listed Grade II in 1981 and upgraded to Grade I in 2020. The first director, Thomas Bodkin, built up the core of the collection, which includes paintings, drawings, sculpture, coins and decorative art of high international quality.

The Barber is now closed to the public while a major transformation takes place, after fundraising of £14.8 million. The works include a new step-free entrance, a new accessible toilet, a fresh-air system for the concert hall, a larger reception and shop area and a new learning wing. The building is expected to reopen in the latter part of 2027. In the meantime the collection is shown on loan and in touring exhibitions, and concerts continue at the nearby Elgar Concert Hall.

Highlights

• Grade I listed Art Deco building by Robert Atkinson, opened 1939
• Edgar Degas, Jockeys Before the Race
• Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun, Portrait of Countess Golovina
• Jan Gossaert, Hercules and Deianira
• Works by Thomas Gainsborough and Rene Magritte
• Art Deco concert hall at the centre of the building

Founded

1932

Operated by

Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham and the Henry Barber Trust

Admission & discounts

The Barber is closed for building works and is expected to reopen in the latter part of 2027.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

This describes the building before its closure; a new public step-free entrance and a new ground-floor accessible toilet with baby changing are being built. The main entrance has 13 shallow steps, and level access is via a sloped ramp at the back of the building, where visitors call reception on an intercom. The galleries are reached by 31 shallow steps or by a staff-operated lift that serves all floors. An accessible toilet is by the lift on the first floor. Portable stools are available in the galleries, a hearing loop is at the reception desk, and large-print information panels are in each gallery. Guide and hearing dogs are welcome. Blue Badge holders can park in any space on campus, with a few spaces outside the building.

Kids & families

The Barber is closed for building works and is expected to reopen in the latter part of 2027.

Getting there & parking

The Barber is at the East Gate of the University of Birmingham campus, about 3 miles from the city centre. Take the A38 (Bristol Road) and turn onto Edgbaston Park Road. There is a cycle rack to the right of the main entrance.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Before its closure the Barber had a shop and refreshment area but no café; an enlarged reception and shop area is planned.

Events & venue rental

The Barber is closed for building works and is expected to reopen in the latter part of 2027.

Plan your visit