Leeds Art Gallery

About the museum

Leeds Art Gallery was planned from 1876 by the Leeds Fine Art Society and a committee of local worthies. It was built between 1886 and 1888 to designs by William Henry Thorp, as an extension to the Municipal Buildings, and opened on 3 October 1888 as the Leeds City Art Gallery. It was paid for by public subscription collected to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. The room that is now the Tiled Hall Café served as the sculpture gallery until 1941.

In 1912 the Leeds Art Collections Fund was founded to help the gallery buy new works. In 1982 the entrance was moved from the east side to the Headrow, a sculpture extension was added, and the neighbouring Victorian houses on Cookridge Street became the Henry Moore Institute, which is linked to the gallery by a bridge. The Tiled Hall was restored and reopened as a café in 2007.

The gallery closed in January 2016 for a major renovation and reopened on 13 October 2017. The work uncovered the glass roof of the Central Court Gallery. The collection of 20th-century British art was designated as nationally important in 1997, and the gallery also holds Victorian paintings and a large sculpture collection. The building is Grade II listed and is run by Leeds Museums and Galleries on behalf of Leeds City Council.

Highlights

• Nationally important collection of 20th-century British art
• Sculpture by Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Jacob Epstein
• Victorian paintings including works by Atkinson Grimshaw and John William Waterhouse
• Tiled Hall Café in the former sculpture court
• Artspace, an informal studio for families and children

Founded

1888

Operated by

Leeds Museums and Galleries (Leeds City Council)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Leeds Art Gallery is a give-what-you-can gallery: entry is free and visitors are invited to donate, with a suggested amount of 5 pounds per person (also for groups). Donations can be made at tap-to-give points on arrival or during the visit, or online.

Accessibility

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

The main entrance is reached by handrailed steps or a long gradual ramp and has automatic doors. A lower ramped entrance leads to a lift and through the Tiled Hall Café. A lift serves the upper floor, but it takes only one wheelchair at a time. The mezzanine to the Henry Moore Institute is reached by stairs only, and the education studio used by pre-booked groups is not wheelchair accessible. One wheelchair can be borrowed, so call ahead. Accessible toilets (RADAR key) are in Artspace and in the library upstairs. Induction loops are at the shop counter and in the Henry Moore conference space. Talks or audio description of artworks can be arranged on request, and large print labels are available for temporary exhibitions. Ear defenders and torches can be borrowed, and a visual story can be downloaded. Accessible on-street bays are on St Anne's Street, Rossington Street and Vernon Street.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Artspace is an informal learning studio with art materials and activities linked to current exhibitions, and there are family events in the school holidays, including sessions for under-5s. Baby changing is available in the accessible toilet in Artspace. The gallery is busiest during the February and October school holidays.

Getting there & parking

Coaches and minibuses can use the drop-off bays on Great George Street. Alexander Street is a good drop-off point for Victoria Gardens in front of the gallery.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Tiled Hall Café is in the Victorian former sculpture court and serves cakes, coffee and a seasonal menu. There is a small gallery shop, and an online shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Meeting rooms, a lecture theatre and conference spaces can be hired, and the Tiled Hall Café can be hired for drinks receptions.

Plan your visit