The galleries at the Grade-I listed Barber Institute boast an outstanding art collection, where you can see masterpieces by Botticelli, Rubens, Gainsborough, Turner and Rossetti, as well as Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir and Van Gogh. At its heart is a perfect Art-Deco concert hall with ‘perfect acoustics, comfort, and rest for the eye’.
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’.
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 galleries also feature decorative art and sculpture, and major loan exhibitions and displays of prints and drawings.
There’s a lively learning programme for adults and children, including popular lunchtime gallery talks, with more available digitally on the Barber's website. Here you can explore exciting collaborations with Birmingham-based artists and organisations, discover upcoming workshops and events, find out about the Barber Health project, and learn more about the collection with online talks.
Discover more about the Barber Institute of Fine Arts 