Art Galleries in Sheffield

Sara Jaspan, Exhibitions Editor

Last Updated 10 April 2018

Sheffield, once graced by the great John Ruskin himself, is a down-to-earth city with affordable rent – a winning combination that has given rise to a refreshingly unpretentious, fiercely creative art scene. From the big, city-centre institutions to the smaller, independent spaces (venturing into the depths of post-industrial Kelham Island, and the modernist heights of the iconic Park Hill estate), there’s plenty going on. Check out our guide to the top art galleries in Sheffield.

Here are our picks

1. Graves Gallery

Work by Marc Quinn and Bridget Riley at the Graves Gallery. Photo: Museums Sheffield.

Graves Gallery, Surrey Street, Sheffield, S1 2LH - Visit now

Tucked away atop the city’s Central Library, Graves is a true gem of a gallery. Named after local philanthropist J.G. Graves, it houses an impeccable collection of European painting and sculpture, and features a rotating series of perfectly-curated contemporary exhibitions. Well-worth the climb up several flights of stairs (past Japanese artist Seiko Kinoshita’s ascending flock of woven birds) to get there; and don’t worry, there’s also a very teeny-tiny café to stop at halfway round.

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2. Millennium Gallery

Millennium Gallery. Photo: Andy Brown.

Millennium Gallery, Arundel Gate, Sheffield, S1 2PP - Visit now

Branching off from the impressive glass dome structure of the Winter Gardens (one of the largest of its type in the UK), Millennium Gallery is home to the Sheffield’s extensive Ruskin Collection and Metalwork Collection – capturing the Steel City’s industrial heritage in more than 13,000 objects – alongside two impressive temporary exhibitions spaces.

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3. Site Gallery

Site Gallery, 1 Brown Street, Sheffield, Yorkshire, S1 2BS - Visit now

Perfectly positioned less than 100 yards from the train station, Site Gallery is Sheffield’s most must-visit destination for contemporary art – except that it’s currently closed. An expansive offsite artistic programme is taking place throughout the city in the interim period, while the building undergoes major expansion work that will see it treble in size. Due to reopen later this year (2018).

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4. Bloc Projects in Sheffield

Open Residency: Duncan Higgins at Bloc Projects

Bloc Projects in Sheffield, 71 Eyre Lane, Sheffield, S1 4RB - Visit now

The classic ‘former-industrial-building-turned-blank-gallery-space’, Bloc Projects has been exhibiting work by early to mid-career artists for over 15 years, and runs a year-round programme of interdisciplinary screenings, performances, talks and education activities.

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5. Sheffield Institute of Arts Gallery

Sheffield Institute of Arts.

Sheffield Institute of Arts Gallery, Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Howard Street, Sheffield, S1 1WB - Visit now

Sheffield Institute of Arts’ Gallery is home to a range of changing exhibitions, from historic graphic design to contemporary fine art.

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