Our art collection is as wide as it is impressive. From the masters to the new wave of contemporary artists sweeping Britain, Birmingham has inspiring and controversial in equal measure. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery has the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelites in the world. The Ikon is one of Europe's leading contemporary art galleries. And the Barber Institute of Fine Arts has a balance between old and new. Add in our Artsfest event and public art like Anthony Gormley’s Iron man to see Birmingham truly has art at its heart.
Housed in a spectacular Victorian Building, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery has the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelites in the world as well as collections of silver, sculpture, ceramics and ancient and social history. The Gas Hall Gallery houses a constantly changing round of temporary exhibitions. Entrance is free except to some Gas Hall exhibitions.
One of Europe's leading contemporary art galleries, Ikon is stylish, progressive and recognised for its individuality. The Ikon exhibits the best international and British art in a changing programme of exhibitions and events. Admission is free.
Birmingham's unique Jewellery Quarter houses Europe’s largest school of jewellery and there are a number of galleries in the quarter showcasing their work, galleries include the UK’s second oldest independent art gallery the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists.
Barber Institute of Fine Arts has an outstanding collection of Old Masters alongside and modern classics. You’ll see works by Bellini, Poussin, Rubens, Gainsborough, Rossetti, Monet, Degas and Magritte. They also have a regular programme of exhibitions, concerts, lectures and events - all open to the public. The Good Britain Guide 2004 declared it 'Gallery of the Year'.
The Public is an exciting creative community, cultural arts centre in the heart of West Bromwich. Throughout the year the centre hosts a number of free exhibitions featuring interactive works of art alongside a changing programme of work by internationally renowned artists.
Eastside Projects is an artist-run space as public gallery for the City of Birmingham, based in Digbeth. Eastside Projects is a new model for a gallery, one where space and programme are intertwined: alongside a programme of experimental contemporary art practices and exhibitions the gallery has featured long-term, permanent works from international artists such as Liam Gillick, Lawrence Weiner, Susan Collis and Heather & Ivan Morison. Eastside Projects aims to support the cultural growth of the City.
Established in 1992, VIVID has won a strong reputation for its commitment to media arts (artist film and video, digital, installation and sound art) in Birmingham through research, production and commissioning programmes. VIVID moved to Eastside in 2005, converting a former car garage into a lively project space designed to host artists in production and public exhibitions. The VIVID space is used to introduce audiences to both emerging local talent and work of international significance.
The Three White Walls gallery operates one of the largest exhibition galleries for contemporary art in Birmingham, providing a large selection of paintings, limited edition prints, sculpture, ceramics and glass.The Art Lounge, the largest commercial gallery of contemporary art in the city centre, both are located in the designer world of The Mailbox.