The galleries at the Grade-I listed Barber Institute of Fine Arts boast an outstanding art collection that includes paintings by Sandro Botticelli, Edgar Degas, Gwen John, Käthe Kollwitz, Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Auguste Rodin, JMW Turner, Vincent van Gogh and Elizabeth Vigée-Lebrun, among many others. At its heart is a stunning Art-Deco concert hall.
The jewel in the cultural crown of the University of Birmingham, the Barber embodies the vision of its founder, Lady Barber, who wished to establish a centre ‘for the study and encouragement of art and music’ that inspires and connects people.
As well as the globally important art collection, there's also a dazzling coin gallery, housing Europe's most significant collection of Roman, Byzantine and medieval coins. The Barber also curate major loan exhibitions and displays.
The galleries are temporarily closed, as of 27 January 2025, to allow for a major building improvement programme to improve the accessibility and longevity of the building so more people can enjoy art and music at the Barber in the future. In the meantime, the collection, along with a wide range of recorded talks, workshops, artist collaborations and other resources that can be enjoyed at home, are available on the Barber website.
The Barber will reopen in 2026.
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