The Henry Moore Institute in Leeds to reopen following first major refurbishment in 30-year history
On 12 July 2024, the Henry Moore Institute will reopen to the public following the first major refurbishment in its 30-year history.
Temporarily closed since November 2023, the newly revamped Grade II listed Institute has undergone significant internal enhancements to ensure the space is more accessible, welcoming and engaging for today’s audiences.
Designed in the early 1990s by Dixon Jones, the Henry Moore Institute was the first purpose-built sculpture gallery in the UK. Responding to a growth in visitor numbers, changing audience expectations of a modern cultural venue and the importance of engagement programming with young people, the new Henry Moore Institute features a vibrant new multifunctional learning and engagement facility to host creative workshops, discussions and events and encourage people of all ages to engage with sculpture as learners, thinkers and makers.
Working with Leeds-based Group Ginger architects, the renovations include a focus on more inviting spaces for visitors. The entrance area has a new welcome area encouraging visitors to stay longer, take a seat and browse the enhanced shop. The ‘alcove’ area on the ground floor has been refreshed to encourage audiences to enjoy free, creative drop-in activities during their visit.
For researchers, an improved Research Library reception on the first floor includes a provision for displays drawn from the library’s special collections. The seminar room will continue to host research events, with increased comfort, including natural light, new seating and upgraded technology.
“We are delighted to have made significant changes to our building so that our audiences can continue to grow, access and enjoy our exhibitions, research programmes and our collections.
“These alterations will bring a significant step-change to how, and where, our programmes are experienced, retaining our world-renowned research facilities while ensuring that young people – our potential great creative thinkers of the future – feel welcome.”
Laurence Sillars, Head of the Henry Moore Institute
As part of the development, the Institute’s roof has been replaced and solar panels are installed to continue the Institute’s commitment to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint.
Giving a platform to artists who push the boundaries of sculpture, the Institute’s programme will launch with the first solo exhibition in a European institution by Hany Armanious, one of Australia’s leading sculptors (12 July – 3 November 2024), and a display bringing together the work of contemporary artist Hew Locke and 19th century sculptor Mary Thornycroft. In autumn, the Henry Moore Institute will stage an ambitious group exhibition marking the centenary of surrealism, The Traumatic Surreal (22 November 2024 – 16 March 2025).
What you can see when we reopen
Exhibition
Hany Armanious: Stone Soup
Learn more
Exhibition
Sculpting Royalty: Hew Locke and Mary Thornycroft
For further information, images or to arrange a visit please contact
Kara Chatten, Marketing & Communications Manager
Henry Moore Institute
kara.chatten@henry-moore.org
Emily Dodgson, Head of Marketing & Enterprise
Henry Moore Foundation
emily.dodgson@henry-moore.org
Kitty Malton
Sam Talbot
kitty@sam-talbot.com
Matthew Brown
Sam Talbot
matthew@sam-talbot.com
Listings
Henry Moore Institute, The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 3AH
Free entry
Closed until 12 July 2024, then open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–17:00
Twitter: @HMILeeds
Facebook: Henry Moore Institute
Instagram: Henry Moore Institute
YouTube: henrymoore
Notes to editors
About Group Ginger
Group Ginger deliver memorable and enjoyable places that enhance the lives of those who experience them.
They work with progressive clients who want to create positive social impact. Their ingenious approach helps socially motivated clients who want to create positive impact by unlocking problems and delivering lasting transformational change.
About the Henry Moore Institute
The Henry Moore Institute is situated on The Headrow, next to Leeds Art Gallery, in Leeds city centre’s cultural hub, just a five-minute walk from Leeds Station.
We welcome everyone to visit our Galleries, Research Library and Archive of Sculptors’ Papers to experience, study and enjoy sculpture from around the world.
The Institute can be found in the centre of Leeds, the city where Henry Moore (1898-1986) began his training as a sculptor. Our changing programme of historical, modern and contemporary exhibitions and events encourage thinking about what sculpture is, how it is made and the artists who make it.
As part of the Henry Moore Foundation, we are a hub for sculpture, connecting a global network of artists and scholars, continuing research into the art form and ensuring that sculpture is accessible and celebrated by a wide audience.
The long-established partnership of Leeds City Council and the Henry Moore Foundation began with the development of the Sculpture Study Centre in Leeds Art Gallery in 1982 and led to the development of the Henry Moore Institute in 1993. It now represents an unparalleled collaboration in the collection, study and presentation of sculpture. The Leeds Sculpture Collections lies at the heart of our work together, underpinned by the complimentary research and curatorial expertise of both organisations.
Free entry
Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–17:00
About the Henry Moore Foundation
The Henry Moore Foundation was founded by the artist and his family in 1977 to encourage public appreciation of the visual arts.
Today we support innovative sculpture projects, devise an imaginative programme of exhibitions and research worldwide, and preserve the legacy of Moore himself: one of the great sculptors of the 20th century, who did so much to bring the art form to a wider audience.
We run two venues, in Leeds and Hertfordshire, showing a mix of Moore’s own work and other sculpture.
We also fund a variety of sculpture projects through our Henry Moore Grants and Research programmes and we have a world-class collection of artworks which regularly tour both nationally and internationally.
A registered charity, we award grants to arts organisations around the world, with a mission to bring great sculpture to as many people as possible.