The main university library is one of the major UK research libraries. 

It has:

• a collection of over 2 million books and 3 million manuscripts
• access to 50,000 journal subscriptions and 270,000 ebooks.

In addition, History of Art at Birmingham is supported by a wide range of more specific facilities and resources. These include:

The Barber Institute

Most History of Art teaching takes place in the Barber Institute of Fine Art, one of the world’s finest small galleries. It is also one of Birmingham’s finest purpose-built Art Deco buildings.

The institute houses a world renowned collection of art. It contains works by artists such as:

• Dürer
• Giovanni Bellini
• Veronese
• Vigée LeBrun
• Van Dyck
• Poussin
• Gainsborough
• Monet
• Degas
• Gwen John
• Picasso
• Gauguin
• Rodin
• Käthe Kollwitz
• Magritte.

It stages regular exhibitions and concerts that provide students with a unique artistic and cultural facility. Students are also encouraged to become involved in Barber activities. These can provide them with invaluable practical experience of working in a major cultural institution.

Barber Institute refurbishment

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts is currently undergoing a two-phase £10 million improvement program. Phase Two involves a temporary closure of the Barber Institute's building from February 2025 until late autumn 2025. We are making essential repairs and upgrades to enhance your future experience.

University Research and Cultural Collections

The University of Birmingham also has a significant collection of works of art in its research and cultural collections. These include:

• the Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology museum
• the Danford Collection of West African Art and Artefacts
• the Campus Collection of Fine Art, including work by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, Peter Lanyon, John Walker, Jacob Epstein and Sir Antony Caro.

Fine Art Library

In addition to its world class collection of art works, the Barber Institute houses an exceptional Fine Art Library. This contains:

• holdings of contemporary History of Art books and periodicals
• specialist collections of sales catalogues dating back to the early 18th century
• significant collections of historic books and periodicals from the 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

Visual Resources Library

Alongside its collections of books and periodicals, the Barber also houses the Visual Resources Library of the Department. The Library’s main asset is Diaphanous, a searchable online catalogue of high resolution digital images, accessible to students and staff via the intranet. This is supplemented by the Barber’s collection of historical photographs of architecture and works of art. There is also the Visual Resources Library Slide Collection, which holds more than 70,000 catalogued slides.

Coins

The Barber Institute also houses one of the most significant collections of coins and seals in the UK. The first mass medium of the image - coins are a crucial component of visual culture. The Barber Institute’s dedicated Coin Gallery complements its painting and sculpture galleries.

The City

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is one of the finest art galleries in the country. It has exceptional holdings of Old Master, Pre-Raphaelite and modern paintings, drawings and prints. Birmingham also contains the Ikon Gallery. Located near the city centre, the Ikon is one of the UK's premier venues for contemporary art.

The Department has a long history of collaboration with both galleries, including joint research projects and supervision of doctoral students.

Alongside the collections of the University, these provide easily accessible artistic and cultural resources of international significance.

The city's central location on road and rail networks allows easy access to important libraries and art collections elsewhere in the West Midlands. Highlights include:

• Library of Birmingham, Europe's largest public library
• New Art Gallery in Walsall
• Wolverhampton Art Gallery.