Our Mission, Vision, and Values

Our vision is to be one of the best civic university galleries in the world. We want to be a changemaker that connects people, art and music, and brings research to life.

We first opened the doors of our purpose-built Art Deco building in 1939.

Our Grade-I listed building houses:

• an art collection and exhibition galleries
• a magnificent concert hall
• a specialist fine art library
• the Department of History of Art, Curating and Visual Studies
• wider staff and teaching facilities
• creative activity spaces

All our work is inspired by the vision of our founder, Lady Barber. In her Deed of 1932, she established funds to build a world-class art collection and building. This was to be for ‘the study and encouragement of art and music’ at the University of Birmingham. She envisioned the Barber to be a hub for the social life of the University. Today this mission extends beyond the campus, welcoming local communities, and national and international visitors.