Major investment works to start on iconic town centre building
We are planning a major investment into the Huddersfield Library and Art Gallery building over the next 12 months. This project will focus on a major renewal of the roof, and the top floor of the building which is home to Huddersfield Art Gallery.
More about Huddersfield Art Gallery
The building on Princess Alexandra Walk was completed in 1940 as a purpose-built library and art gallery. It was designed by architect E.H. Ashburner. These planned works will make sure that the building, which is Grade II listed and an important part of Huddersfield’s heritage, is preserved and fit for purpose for the future.
Links to the Huddersfield Blueprint
This project is a significant step towards implementing the Huddersfield Blueprint. The library and art gallery building sits in the town’s Cultural Heart. This is an area that will see major investment and improvements including a new museum, gallery, library, archive centre and live music venue sitting within a town park.
What does this mean for people visiting the gallery?
In order to carry out these essential works, Huddersfield Art Gallery will be closing temporarily to the public from Saturday 18 January 2020.
We expect that the whole scheme including preparing the gallery for the works will take up to 12 months to complete. The library on the lower floors will remain open.
However, art lovers will still be able to enjoy some of the art usually on display, as we are planning a programme of loans to other galleries and displays in other venues for the closure period.
More details about this alternative programme will be available on the Kirklees Council website in the coming months.
Cllr Walker Cabinet Member for Culture said:
“Whilst it is a shame that we will have to temporarily close the art gallery, I am really excited that work is taking place to secure the building for the future. The nature of the art means it is essential to house it in the best possible conditions. This work will make sure our gallery continues to meet national standards, which will in turn allow us to attract more world class exhibitions in the future.
Huddersfield Art Gallery is already home to artworks by the many of the major figures in 20th century British art. Highlights include L.S. Lowry’s view of Huddersfield, Henry Moore’s Falling Warrior bronze sculpture, and Francis Bacon’s Figure Study II – the first artwork by Bacon to enter a public collection. The gallery also hosts an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions.
I would urge anyone who is interested in art to visit before the museum closes for the refurbishment. Our current temporary exhibitions including the critically acclaimed exhibitions by Mandy Payne, Chris Gollon and the Contemporary British Painting Prize 2019 (a nationally prestigious painting award) are available to view until 18 January 2020.”
I am delighted to see this. The Hudds Art gallery is one of the best in Northern England. Spent many hours there in my younger days. Not as easy now I have mobility problems but still possible. .