Are you interested in paintings, sculpture, furniture, silver, ceramics and textiles? Leeds Art Fund is a charity that supports the purchase of artworks and applied art objects for the permanent collections of Leeds Museums and Galleries. We believe that art has a vital role to play in our lives, making them richer, and we are therefore engaged in education and public programmes to ensure that people have the opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by the collections.
Founded in 1912, Leeds Art Fund is one of the oldest supporting ‘friends’ organisations for the visual and applied arts in the UK.
We have played an important role in shaping the collections acquiring more than 430 works by artists and makers. Through courageous purchases funded by Leeds Art Fund, artworks by Francis Bacon, Alexander Calder, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Yinka Shonibare, and Andy Warhol as well as furniture by Thomas Chippendale and John Channnon have been added to the collections.
We offer a series of member events throughout the year which allow people to meet and share their interests, and learn more about these wonderful collections built up over the last hundred years. Our occasional Saturday afternoon lectures at the Gallery are particularly popular and are open to non members
Why not join us and help us continue our work?
Our Partnerships
Leeds Art Fund plays a crucial role in supporting the arts in Leeds and the broader Yorkshire area. We enhance access to the arts and enrich art collections by partnering with Leeds Art Gallery, Temple Newsam, Lotherton Hall, and the Henry Moore Institute.
I sold a large antique William Potts clock in 1985, and of course I bought a Life Membership of Leeds Art Fund! I have since followed our ever friendly and interested Membership group, enjoyed all the talks and outside visits, sociable and instructive, and now help in the Events Team with whatever is needed.
Our Impact
In recent years, we have extended our remit beyond developing the collections, to include restoration and building refurbishment projects for Leeds Museums and Galleries as well as improving access to sculpture in the public realm and funding education and public programmes.
Show your support for arts in Leeds, enjoy exclusive membership benefits and help to acquire great art for the city. Join for as little as £20 per year.