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See & Do

Families

We encourage people of all ages to engage with sculpture as learners, thinkers and makers.

Get the most out of your visit to the Henry Moore Institute, Leeds, with our free activities and family-friendly resources.

A smiling family of four, sat at a table together, making small sculptures from modelling clay.

Visiting with your family

Our free activities are linked to our exhibitions, and change based on the themes and subjects of the sculpture on display. Use them any time during a visit, Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–17:00.

Several small felt sculptures with flexible wire armatures, in shades of blue, yellow and white. They are arranged in a line on a wooden table.

Free creative activity: soft sculptures

Take inspiration from Sagarika Sundaram’s sculptures that explore the possibilities of wool and felt in monumental, immersive and colourful ways.

Visit the exhibition Reservoir to get some ideas, and then visit our alcove area to build soft sculptures from felted shapes.

An adult and child sat on the floor of an art gallery. They are pulling on opposite ends of a piece of coiled material, stretching it out between them. Other art materials surround them on the floor and in a basket nearby.

Explorer Baskets

Younger visitors wanting to enjoy an interactive experience in our galleries can borrow one of our free-to-use Explorer Baskets.

Designed to encourage active engagement with the artwork on display, Explorer Baskets are filled with objects and activities you can take into the gallery to aid in exploring, finding, thinking, and making.

Upcoming workshops

These free, drop-in workshops are perfect for families looking for something creative to do in Leeds city centre.

Free exhibition tours: Sagarika Sundaram: Reservoir
Artist Sagarika Sundaram standing next to her large fabric 'Glossolalia', which is made up of several yellow 'limbs', each trailing strands of yellow material.
Part of Sagarika Sundaram: Reservoir
Part of Sagarika Sundaram: Reservoir

Guided tour

Free exhibition tours: Sagarika Sundaram: Reservoir

11:00 & 14:30

Sculpture Galleries
Henry Moore Institute, Leeds
Textile Sculpture with Jane Claire Wilson
Several small felt sculptures with flexible wire armatures, in shades of blue, yellow and white. They are arranged in a line on a wooden table.
Part of Sagarika Sundaram: Reservoir
Part of Sagarika Sundaram: Reservoir

Family-friendly workshop

Textile Sculpture with Jane Claire Wilson

11:00–16:30

Learn more

The Studio
Henry Moore Institute, Leeds
Gallery Babies: Fuzzy Forms
A baby sat on a blanket playing with a variety of textured materials and objects.
Part of Sagarika Sundaram: Reservoir
Part of Sagarika Sundaram: Reservoir

Parent and baby session

Gallery Babies: Fuzzy Forms

11:00–12:30 & 14:00–15:30

Learn more

Sculpture Galleries and The Studio
Henry Moore Institute, Leeds
Touch Tour of Sagarika Sundaram: Reservoir
Six people standing in a gallery. they are talking and smiling. Three have white canes, one is holding a magnifying glass, and another has a guide dog resting at her feet.
Part of Sagarika Sundaram: Reservoir
Part of Sagarika Sundaram: Reservoir

Guided tour

Touch Tour of Sagarika Sundaram: Reservoir

13:00–15:00

Book your free ticket

Sculpture Galleries and The Studio
Henry Moore Institute, Leeds

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Facilities at the Institute

Step free access

Visitors who prefer a step-free entrance can use the accessible entrance on Cookridge Street, taking the lift to bring you onto the ground floor where you will find all the Galleries on the same level.

There is a passenger lift to all other floors, measuring 100cm wide by 136cm deep, with a doorway 72cm wide.

 

Toilets and baby changing facilities

We have three gender-neutral superloos (self-contained cubicles with a toilet and sink).

Additionally, we have one gender-neutral, accessible superloo, and one superloo with baby changing facilities.

Toilets are situated on the basement level, accessible by lift.

Pushchairs and lockers

We have lockers on the basement level, which are suitable for backpacks and smaller items.

Unfortunately we do not have storage facilities for luggage or pushchairs, however it is usually possible to leave them behind the welcome desk while you visit – please ask a member of staff first, and remember to take any valuables with you. All items are left at the owner’s risk.

 

Tell us how we can help

We are keen to make it as easy as possible for you to visit with your family.

If you have any access needs that are not mentioned above or on our accessibility page, please get in touch to discuss your visit.

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