Sculpture research programme
The Henry Moore Institute’s sculpture research programme places sculpture at the centre of current art historical scholarship and actively encourages new research.
At the Henry Moore Institute, we pride ourselves on being a hub of contact and exchange, generating and supporting research networks that extend beyond the confines of academia.
Our sculpture research programme operates across disciplines and art forms, engaging with performance, drawing, photography or architecture, or with wider fields such as politics or anthropology.
Research seasons
Each year our research programme is organised into specific areas of enquiry, explored through themed Research Seasons. Each season includes a range of research events, conferences, lectures, film screenings and discussions, designed to showcase new thinking on different aspects of sculpture.
Beyond the Visual: Blindness and Expanded Sculpture
Autumn 2024 – Spring 2025
This research season explores engagements with contemporary sculpture using senses other than sight.
Through workshops, public events and an exhibition in 2025, we rethink not only the under-representation of blind and partially blind arts practitioners, but also the relationship between artworks and audiences.
Explore our previous research seasons, and watch recordings of talks, conferences and performances.
See all previous research seasons
Upcoming conferences and events
Early career research symposium
Sensory Innovations and Creativity in the Arts
10:30–18:00
Book your free ticket
Artist in conversation
Bady Minck in conversation with Patricia Allmer and Clare O’Dowd
18:00–19:30
Book your free ticket
Artist in conversation
Renate Bertlmann in conversation with Patricia Allmer and Clare O’Dowd
18:00–19:30
Book your free ticket
Guided tour
Curator’s Tour of The Traumatic Surreal
18:00–19:00
Book your free ticket
Research opportunities
Find out how you can get involved with our research programme.
Dissertation Prize
Open to BA and MA students of all disciplines, each year we award two prizes for outstanding writing on contemporary, modern or historical sculpture.
We are currently accepting submissions for our 2024 Dissertation Prize.
Deadline to apply: Friday 13 December 2024.
Winners will be notified early in the new year.
Calls for participation
We hold conferences on a range of sculpture topics at the Institute in Leeds, Studios & Gardens in Hertfordshire, and with external partner venues.
Surrealism in Yorkshire
Call for participation
International Conference, to take place:
The Hepworth Wakefield
Friday 28 February 2025
Deadline to apply:
Friday 29 November 2024, 17:00
Blindness and Expanded Sculpture
Call for participation
International Conference, to take place:
Leeds Art Gallery
Wednesday 19 March 2025
Deadline to apply:
Friday 6 December 2024, 17:00
Visiting research fellowships
Our fellowships enable artists and researchers to develop their work, spending a month in Leeds using our resources.
Applications for our next round of fellowships will open in spring 2025.
Our research facilities
We encourage researchers at all levels to seek our advice and make use of our world-class archive, library and sculpture collections in Leeds.
Please note that the library and archive are open by appointment only while refurbishment work at the Henry Moore Institute is taking place.
Unfortunately, this means there will be access restrictions until summer 2024, which will make it difficult to accommodate everyone.
If you are a researcher who would like to use our resources while the building is closed, please first browse our online library collection and archive catalogue, then contact the Archivist and Librarian to discuss your needs in advance.
Sculpture Research Library
With more than 30,000 books, exhibition catalogues, journals and audio-visual items, the library is an outstanding resource for studying sculpture.
Archive of Sculptors’ Papers
The working lives of hundreds of sculptors are captured in their photographs, letters, drawings and sketchbooks, alongside film, digital records and even tools and costume.
Leeds sculpture collection
We oversee the development of Leeds Museums and Galleries’ sculpture collections, a partnership that has built one of the strongest collections of British sculpture in the country.
Online research resources
Collaboration is at the heart of our research programme.
We have jointly funded and collaborated in a number of initiatives intended to consolidate primary resources for the study of sculpture.
Essays on Sculpture
Essays on Sculpture is the journal of the Henry Moore Institute, tacking a diverse range of subjects, disciplines and styles to investigate the important role that sculpture plays in the world at large.
Visit us
Henry Moore Institute
74 The Headrow
Leeds
LS1 3AH
United Kingdom
T: 01132 467 467
E: institute@henry-moore.org
