Funding drive announced
The Barber’s galleries are set to undergo a major refurbishment and a new learning wing is to be created – if funding can be raised to support the latest plans.
New wall linings will be installed to replace the faded and worn 1980s fabric coverings, along with a state-of-the-art lighting system. A new air-handling system will also be installed in the four principal galleries housing the Barber’s internationally important art collection.
The ambitious Learning Wing is earmarked for the groundfloor of the annex at the far end of the foyer next to the stairs to the galleries, which currently houses offices for the University’s department History of Art, Curating and Visual Studies and the Barber’s Learning and Engagement team.
The new wing will comprise two custom-designed spaces. The larger Studio space will accommodate up to 50 people for creative workshops, music-related activities, public programme events and other educational activities, and will be equipped for practical art classes for visitors of all ages, including school classes, students, and group visits.
The adjacent Study space will welcome visiting families and adults to create, play and relax, enabling them to browse information about the Barber, its collections and exhibitions through a library of creative and digital resources. It will also feature displays that connect to the heritage of the building and work created by participants in the Barber’s Learning and Engagement programmes.
The new wing will replace the Barber’s existing learning spaces, currently housed in the lower ground floor, which are difficult to access, out-of-date, and cannot accommodate a full school class. The University’s Department of Art History, Curating and Visual Studies will be retained in the building in refurbished offices.
This £5.5million scheme that includes the gallery refurbishment and Learning wing conversion will be the third tranche of the Barber’s ongoing essential building improvements programme. It will be carried out simultaneously with a second tranche of essential work already planned for the Grade-1 listed building’s closure period, which began on Monday 27 January and will continue into 2026. The second phase of work – along with the already-completed tranche-one refurbishment of the Lady Barber Gallery exhibition space – cost £9.2million, and has been funded by the University.
Design work for all aspects of the schemes is being carried out by Birmingham-based Glancy Nicholls Architects.
The Barber has already secured significant investment from the Henry Barber Trust and the University of Birmingham for the collection gallery upgrade and Learning Wing conversion, as well as from a number of generous Trusts and individuals. The gallery has now launched a fundraising campaign to secure grants from charitable trusts and foundations, as well as donations from the Barber’s supporters and other individuals. To enable the works to take place the Barber must raise an additional £1 million.
The Barber’s Director, Professor Jennifer Powell, said the gallery should seize this rare moment of opportunity to carry out the Learning and Engagement Wing project and the gallery refurbishment while other building work was taking place.
“Our world-class collection and our architecturally important building underpin everything we do at the Barber, so updating our gallery and restoring the beauty and usefulness of the spaces in which our collection is housed is essential,” said Professor Powell.
“Our Learning and Engagement work is key to our mission to inspire creativity and curiosity and welcome our audiences onto campus. The new Learning Wing, situated prominently at the entrance to the galleries, will provide the perfect base and space for this growing and groundbreaking programme and for the benefit of many more people locally, nationally and internationally.”
Professor Adam Tickell, Vice Chancellor of the University, said: “The Barber plays a crucial role in the University’s cultural life. The improvements to the building – the gallery, the visitor facilities and the new Learning Wing – will ensure there is appropriate, flexible and modern space for our communities on campus and beyond to engage with art and music in the future.”
