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🎨 Galleries and Visual Art in Leeds

Leeds boasts a thriving art scene, from world-class galleries to contemporary exhibitions and public art installations. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or just looking for something inspiring to explore, this guide will help you uncover the best visual art experiences in the city.

On this page:

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👉 Click here to view all of these locations on a Google map

Art Galleries and Collections

Located in the picturesque Lister Park, this gallery offers a mix of Victorian art, contemporary exhibitions, and a rich collection of South Asian arts and crafts.
📍 Lister Park, Bradford BD9 4NS
👉 Cartwright Hall website

🏛️ Harewood House Art Collection

A magnificent Georgian mansion featuring an impressive art collection, stunning grounds, and a rotating schedule of contemporary art exhibitions.
📍 Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LG
👉 Harewood House website

Housing an impressive collection of modern and contemporary British art, Leeds Art Gallery is a must-visit for any art lover. Its vast collection includes works by Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, and Francis Bacon.
📍 The Headrow, Leeds LS1 3AA
👉 Leeds Art Gallery website

A dynamic space showcasing innovative works by students, faculty, and established artists in various disciplines, from painting to digital media.
📍 Blenheim Walk, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9AQ
👉 Leeds Arts University website

🏙️ Salts Mill (Saltaire)

Set in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire, this gallery features works by David Hockney and other contemporary artists alongside shopping and dining experiences.
📍 Victoria Rd, Saltaire, Shipley BD18 3HU
👉 Salts Mill website

A historic textile mill turned creative hub, this gallery features exhibitions from emerging and established artists, celebrating local and international talent.
📍 83-85 Town St, Farsley, Leeds LS28 5UJ
👉 Sunny Bank Mills website

🌟 Temple Newsam House

Visit the historic Temple Newsam House to discover an extensive collection of fine art, decorative objects, and historic interiors. The estate also hosts rotating art exhibitions in a grand setting.
📍 Temple Newsam Rd, Leeds LS15 0AE
👉 Temple Newsam website

🏺 Thackray Museum of Medicine – Art in Medicine Exhibits

Explore the intersection of art and science at the Thackray Museum, where exhibitions often showcase how art has influenced medicine and healthcare.
📍 Beckett St, Leeds LS9 7LN
👉 Thackray Museum website

Part of the University of Leeds, the Treasures of the Brotherton Gallery houses rare books, manuscripts, and unique visual art displays related to literature and history, including original material written by the Brontë sisters.
📍 University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT
👉 Brotherton Library website

🗿 The Henry Moore Institute

Dedicated to sculpture, the Henry Moore Institute showcases groundbreaking exhibitions featuring historic and contemporary works. Don’t miss the chance to see the work of one of Yorkshire’s most famous artists.
📍 The Headrow, Leeds LS1 3AH
👉 Henry Moore Institute website

🖼️ The Hepworth (Wakefield)

An iconic gallery housed in a modernist building, showcasing the work of Barbara Hepworth and other renowned British and international artists.
📍 Gallery Walk, Wakefield WF1 5AW
👉 The Hepworth website

A hidden gem on the University of Leeds campus, this gallery offers an eclectic mix of historical and contemporary art, including drawings, prints, and decorative arts.
📍 Parkinson Building, Woodhouse Ln, Leeds LS2 9JT
👉 Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery website

🌳 Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Just a short drive from Leeds, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a sprawling outdoor gallery set in picturesque landscapes. Discover works by renowned artists like Henry Moore and Andy Goldsworthy.
📍 West Bretton, Wakefield WF4 4LG
👉 Yorkshire Sculpture Park website

Contemporary and Alternative Art Spaces

🎨 Aire Place Studios

A dynamic arts and cultural hub offering affordable studio space, exhibitions, workshops, and a supportive community for artists and creatives.
📍 Unit 2C, Aire Place Mills, Leeds LS3 1JL
👉 Aire Place Studios website

🎨 Assembly House

A dynamic, artist-led space offering contemporary exhibitions, workshops and studio spaces in a converted mill. Assembly House is a hidden gem for those seeking fresh perspectives.
📍 44 Canal Rd, Armley, Leeds LS12 2PL
👉 Assembly House website

🧱 Basement Arts Project

A truly alternative space for emerging and experimental artists, this basement gallery often features thought-provoking contemporary exhibitions, and provides support and mentoring to artists at the beginning of their career.
📍 28 Back Burton Terrace, Leeds LS11 5JH
👉 BasementArtsProject website

🖼️ East Street Arts

East Street Arts is a leading arts charity in Leeds. It transforms underused spaces into creative hubs and studios, like Convention House, a 19th-century former nunnery, and Barkston House, a creative retreat in Holbeck. Check out their ever-changing lineup of workshops and exhibitions.
📍 St Mary's Ln, Leeds LS9 7EH
👉 East Street Arts website

❤️ Headingley Enterprise and Arts Centre (HEART)

The HEART Centre is a vibrant community space hosting art exhibitions, live performances, workshops, and events. With a welcoming café and a strong focus on local creativity, it’s a hub for culture and connection.
📍 Bennett Rd, Headingley, Leeds LS6 3HN
👉 HEART Centre website

🎨 Left Bank Leeds

Housed in a deconsecrated church, Left Bank Leeds is a cultural hub offering exhibitions, art markets, and creative workshops in a stunning Gothic Revival building.
📍 Cardigan Rd, Leeds LS6 1LJ
👉 Left Bank website

🌟 Open Source Arts

A vibrant and inclusive creative hub offering workshops, events, and studio space for artists, performers, and makers. Open Source Arts champions collaboration and sustainability in the arts.
📍 Aire Place Mills, Kirkstall Rd, Leeds LS3 1JL
👉 Open Source Arts website

🎨 Pavilion

Pavilion is an innovative arts organisation supporting contemporary artists and photographers through exhibitions, workshops, and events. Known for its thought-provoking programming and collaborative projects, Pavilion explores new ways of engaging with art and culture.
📍 42 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NU
👉 Pavilion website

🎭 Seven Arts

Seven Arts is a lively, independent venue offering a mix of live music, theatre, spoken word, and visual arts. Located in Chapel Allerton, it also features a cozy café-bar, making it a great spot for a cultural evening out.
📍 31A Harrogate Rd, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 3PD
👉 Seven Arts website

Public Art and Sculptures

🦉 The Leeds Owl Trail

Did you know Leeds is home to dozens of hidden owl carvings, statues, and motifs? Follow the Leeds Owl Trail to discover dozens of owl sculptures and carvings hidden across the city. This self-guided tour offers a unique way to explore public art in Leeds.
📍 Various locations in Leeds city centre
👉 Leeds Owl Trail website

🏛️ University of Leeds Public Art Trail

Discover a stunning array of sculptures and installations across the University of Leeds campus through its Public Art Trail. Featuring works by renowned artists such as Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore, the trail showcases the university's commitment to integrating art into academic spaces. Free 'Walk and Draw' events and casual walking groups are two ways to enjoy the artworks. The university also provides a free PDF guide and audio guide to the 21 pieces of public art across their campus.
📍 University of Leeds, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JT
👉 University of Leeds Public Art Trail website

🎨 Mabgate Murals and Leeds Street Art

Mabgate, a thriving hub for creatives, features stunning street art. Wander the alleys and side streets to discover bold, colorful murals by local artists that bring this area to life. Welcome to Leeds has an excellent map for a self-guided Leeds Street Art Trail.
📍 Mabgate, Leeds
👉 Welcome to Leeds Street Art Trail

🌊 Leeds Waterfront Art Trail

Explore the vibrant Leeds Waterfront Art Trail, an outdoor experience showcasing murals along the city’s scenic canal and riverside. This trail highlights works celebrating Leeds' cultural heritage and industrial past in an engaging and picturesque setting.
📍 Various locations close to Leeds city centre
👉 Leeds Waterfront Art Trail website

🌳 Roundhay Park Sculpture Trail

Take a stroll through the stunning grounds of Roundhay Park and discover its charming Sculpture Trail which features works inspired by nature and the park’s rich history.
📍 Roundhay Park, Mansion Ln, Leeds LS8 2HH
👉 Roundhay Park Sculpture Trail website

🎭 Light Night Leeds

One of the largest events of its kind in the country, Light Night is an annual event where the city transforms into an open-air gallery with light installations, digital art, and live performances.
📍 Various locations
👉 Light Night Leeds website

🏛️ Notable Public Sculptures

Visual Art Networks and Organisations

💡 Arts and Minds Network

A creative network promoting mental well-being through the arts, offering exhibitions, workshops, and events for those with lived experience of mental health challenges.
👉 Arts and Minds Network website

🤝 Arts Together Leeds

A collective bringing together artists, organisations, and communities in Leeds to strengthen creative collaboration and engagement.
👉 Arts Together Leeds website

🖌️ Little London Arts

A community-focused initiative providing creative opportunities and workshops to inspire and empower residents in Little London and beyond.
👉 Little London Arts website

🌟 Space2

A creative arts organisation working with communities in Leeds to deliver innovative projects that inspire and bring people together.
👉 Space2 website

🌐 Yorkshire Contemporary

A network celebrating contemporary art across Yorkshire, connecting artists, galleries, and audiences with exhibitions and events.
👉 Yorkshire Contemporary website

🖼️ Yorkshire Visual Arts Network (YVAN)

A regional organisation supporting visual artists and art organisations.
👉 YVAN website

Would you like to add an activity or location to this list? Spot any errors? Provide feedback? Contact me!