After a £1.5 million refurbishment programme, supported by Yorkshire Forward and Leeds City Council, the city's much-loved gallery is now open.
The highlight of the refurbishment is the uncovering of the gallery's stunning Victorian Tiled Hall re-uniting the gallery with the Central Library for the first time since the 1950s. A new cafe, comfortable seating area and shop have also been introduced into the new space.
The former Art Library in the gallery has been transformed into a new exhibition space. The Leeds permanent collections of art, which has been described as being one of the best collections of 20th century British Art outside London, has also been redisplayed with the support of Jeremy Lewison, former Director of Collections, of the Tate Gallery.
Enjoy a world of art in the heart of Leeds
Leeds Art Gallery is in the centre of Leeds, next to Leeds Central Library and near to the Town Hall. We are a five minute walk from both the rail and bus stations. You can see the contact details on the top right hand side of this page.
Opening times:
Monday and Tuesday: 10am to 8pm
Wednesday: 12noon to 8pm
Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 5pm
Sunday: 1pm to 5pm
Closed on bank holidays
For further information see the City Art Gallery website: www.leeds.gov.uk/artgallery
Admission is free
Sculpture displays:
The Wonder and the Horror of the Human Head
May 2007 – Dec 2008
This display focuses on a compelling group of sculptures and prints from the 1950s and early 1960s which use the form of the human head as a mirror for contemporary concerns.. During this period, Britain was haunted by the memory of World War II. At the same time, she was threatened by the spectre of the Cold War and an escalating nuclear arms race. The powerful imagery of these conflicts permeates this display which includes works by William Turnbull, Eduardo Paolozzi, Henry Moore, Elizabeth Frink, Anthony Caro, Bernard Meadows, F.E. McWilliam, Geoffrey Clarke and Hubert Dalwood.
Ordinary People
May 2007- Dec 2008
This display shows sculptures of familiar everyday figures – parents, children, lovers, friends and crowds – none of them famous but celebrated here in a reflection of the increased social inclusivity of the 1950s. The pieces in Ordinary People embody the desire for social harmony and cohesion prevalent in post-World War II Britain. The display focuses on recent acquisitions of pink plaster sculptures by Kenneth Armitage, shown together here for the first time, as well as the concrete sculptures of Peter Peri, with the addition of selected works by other artists.
From the Studio to the Study:
Sculpture and its Writers, c.1910 - 1950
May 2007 – Dec 2008
This display explores the symbiotic relationship between artists and writers in the early modern period, a theme which is particularly resonant in the year that the City Art Gallery and Library are joined. It introduces key art critics - Ezra Pound, H.S. Ede, T.E. Hulme, Adrian Stokes, Herbert Read and R.H. Wilenski - who were able to interpret through their own creative writing, ‘difficult’ or innovative sculpture to a wider audience and suggests the way in which beautiful description and insightful interpretation can enhance and shape our view of art.
Picture lending scheme
The Art Gallery's picture lending scheme allows residents of Leeds to borrow pictures for three months for a modest fee and proof of address. The picture lending scheme includes oil paintings, original artists' prints and drawings, many of which are by local artists such as Mary Lord, Norman Stevens, Michael Andrews and Simon Bull. There are reproductions of famous works from the permanent collections as well, so you can try a print by Atkinson Grimshaw before buying one in the Gallery shop.
See our Museums and Galleries What's On Guide for further information on exhibitions and events.
Prints on demand
Leeds Art Gallery has launched an online 'print on demand' service where anyone can purchase their own high quality image from the Leeds Art Gallery collections.
For the first time, a wide selection of images are now available on demand with an option for matching frames, ready mounted and delivered directly to your door. Choose your favourite image from the Gallery with a few simple clicks and you can have some of the best art in Britain hanging on your wall.
The site has easy-to-use, clear indications of size, which show you how big the picture is next to a man and prints can be made on a wide variety of sizes and materials. Simply go to http://artprints.leeds.gov.uk to find a world of exquisite images described by the Times Newspaper as one of the best collections of British Art outside of London.
This new and exclusive service has launched with over 650 images immediately and will add almost a 1000 more over the next year as copyright permission is granted.
Mailing list
For further information on Leeds City Art Gallery and Leeds museums and galleries join our mailing list. Simply email your name and address to: museumsmailinglist@leeds.gov.uk Or write to: Leeds Museums and Galleries, Marketing Department, Leeds City Council, Merrion House, FREEPOST NAT19236, Leeds, LS2 8AL.