Henry Moore Institute

About the museum

The Henry Moore Institute in Leeds city centre grew out of a partnership between Leeds City Council and the Henry Moore Foundation, which began in 1982. The Institute opened in 1993 in a new building on The Headrow, next to Leeds Art Gallery, designed by the architects Dixon Jones. It was the first purpose-built sculpture gallery in the United Kingdom.

The Institute is devoted to sculpture. Its galleries show changing exhibitions, and a permanent display called The Mezzanine is shown in Leeds Art Gallery. Alongside the exhibitions it houses the Sculpture Research Library, with more than 30,000 books, journals and audio-visual items, and the Archive of Sculptors’ Papers, which holds letters, photographs, sketchbooks and tools from sculptors’ working lives from the nineteenth century to today.

The building closed in November 2023 for its first major refurbishment. The architects Group Ginger redesigned it with a new welcome area and shop, a learning and engagement space, an improved library reception and a replaced roof with solar panels. It reopened on 12 July 2024 and admission remains free.

Highlights

• Changing exhibitions of sculpture in purpose-built galleries
• Sculpture Research Library with more than 30,000 items
• Archive of Sculptors’ Papers (by appointment)
• The Mezzanine, a permanent display in Leeds Art Gallery
• Purpose-built sculpture gallery from 1993, refurbished in 2024

Permanent exhibition

• The Mezzanine – A permanent display of sculpture shown in Leeds Art Gallery, next to the Institute.

Founded

1993

Operated by

Henry Moore Foundation

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

The Institute is open all year round free of charge. The research library and archive are also free to use.

Accessibility

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

The main entrance facing Victoria Gardens has steps with handrails; the step-free entrance with a lift is on Cookridge Street. A passenger lift serves all floors, and the galleries are on the level ground floor. Wheelchairs wider than 79 cm cannot reach the library. Accessible toilets, including superloos, are in the basement. The nearest Changing Places toilet is at Leeds City Museum, about 350 m away. A folding wheelchair can be borrowed. Induction loops are at the welcome desk, library reception, The Studio and seminar room, and a portable loop is available for the galleries. Braille and large print leaflets are provided, and selected works have audio description via QR codes. A British Sign Language tour has been offered for an exhibition. Four Blue Badge bays are on St Anne’s Street, about 100 m away on a flat route. Quiet visits are suggested on Tuesdays 10:00–12:00, and a quiet room is available on request. Assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities

Families can borrow an Explorer Basket of objects and activities to take around the exhibitions. Drop-in events and artist-led workshops are held for families and young people. A superloo has baby changing.

Getting there & parking

Taxis can drop off on The Headrow by Victoria Gardens, and coaches drop off on Great George Street behind Leeds Town Hall. A cycle lane runs outside the building.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A shop is at the entrance area. No café is mentioned on the Institute’s pages.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 60 guests.

The Studio on the second floor (40 seated, 60 standing) and a basement seminar room (40 theatre-style, 60 standing) can be hired for meetings, training and lectures. The galleries are not hired out.

Plan your visit