Families at the Barber
Connect with our gallery through sensory play.
During our building transformation we are delivering our popular Barber Family and Barber Baby programmes offsite, offering free creative family events for ages 0 –10 and their grown-ups.
Be inspired by artworks within the Barber Collection, explore your own creativity and connect with each other.
Explore our programme below.
Contact us: [email protected] or 01214143005
Barber Family
Barber Family encompasses our regular free creative workshops for children aged 4 – 10 years old and their grown-ups. Collaborate with artists and create as a family in our drop-in workshops.
In 2026 we are hosting all our Barber Family workshops at The Exchange.
Explore the upcoming programme:
- Barber Family | Fragrant Rubbings
Tuesday 17 February, 11am – 3pm
Make your own fragrant rubbing pictures, a technique developed by the artist Max Ernst. Explore his work and other Barber masterpieces.
- Barber Family | Sounds of the Sun
Saturday 21 March, 11am – 3pm
Experience the sounds of the sun with musician Aaron Diaz. Enjoy interactive performances and activities.
- Barber Family | Light and Landscape
Wednesday 1 April, 11am – 3pm
Take part in a tactile, making activity inspired by the light and landscape of A Landscape with Cattle and Figures, Karel Dujardin.
- Barber Family | Chalk Cliff Comics
Saturday 18 April, 11am – 3pm
Join a writing and illustration workshop with artist Michael D Kennedy inspired by Chalk Cliffs in the Sun, Otto Dix.
Access information
The Exchange is a University of Birmingham building based in Birmingham city centre.
The building is located in Centenary Square, opposite the Library of Birmingham. The full address is The Exchange, 3 Centenary Square, Birmingham, B1 2DR.
It has a café, level access, accessible toilets on all floors, baby changing facilities, a Changing Places toilet on the basement level, and power assisted doors. For full information visit AccessAble - Your Accessibility Guide or if you have any queries, don't hesitate to be in touch at [email protected]
Barber Baby
Barber Baby is a free series for children aged 0 – 4 and their grown-ups. Experience the magic of live music with your little ones with our monthly Musical Picnics!
Each performance is inspired by different artwork in our collection. Barber Baby is based at the Dome Rehearsal Room, on campus at The Bramall Music Building and is in partnership with Mubu Music and Barber Concerts.
Explore the upcoming programme:
- Barber Baby | The Sun Setting Through Vapour
Thursday 22 January, 11am – 12noon
- Barber Baby | Latona and the Frogs
Thursday 19 February, 11am – 12.30pm* Half Term Special – older siblings welcome
- Barber Baby | Homme vu par une fleur (Man Seen by a Flower)
Thursday 19 March, 11am – 12noon
- Barber Baby | Still Life with a Garland of Fruit
Thursday 30 April, 11am – 12noon
Access information
The Dome Theatre is located on the top floor of The Bramall Music Building. The Bramall Music Building has a café, level access, accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, and power assisted doors. A Changing Places toilet is also available in the nearby Main Library building.
For full information visit AccessAble - Your Accessibility Guide or if you have any queries, don't hesitate to be in touch at [email protected]
Family Concerts
Groove Baby Organ Trio are coming to Birmingham and bringing their unique blend of music, animations and imagination to get little ones grooving.
Family Concerts take place in the Elgar Concert Hall at the Bramall Music Building on campus. Tickets cost £5 per person which include the concert plus crafting activities 10am – 4pm in the Bramall foyer.
- Groove Sensations | For under-5s | Saturday 16 May, 11am – 12noon
This concert is specifically for under-5s and their grown-ups. Groove Baby will take us on a sensational sensory adventure. Ranging from beautiful electronic soundscapes to hard grooving funk and jazz, the Groove Baby Trio incorporates specially created animations and actions into their eclectic set to entrance babies (and adults) alike.
- Groove into the Woods | For ages 3 – 7 | Saturday 16 May, 2pm – 3pm
Groove Into the Woods is an animated and live-action magical, musical adventure which follows three friends into a fairytale forest where they learn some important lessons about who you can trust, who your friends are, and which troll might eat you!
At Home
Our collection...your place. Projects to do from your kitchen table.
Zine-making with Sarah Taylor Silverwood
Inspired by Adriaen van Ostade’s drawing The Child and The Doll, join artist Sarah Taylor Silverwood to make a zine and reflect on time spent with your family, whoever and wherever they may be.
Create a Camera Obscura with Jo Gane
Explore our online exhibition Sights of Wonder by learning more about the Victorian photography of Francis Bedford. Bedford was the first photographer to ever accompany a royal tour. He photographed temples, pyramids, and people along the way.
St Ives Scrap Sculptures with Benny Semp
Inspired by our previous temporary exhibition Cornwall as Crucible?
Learn about the materials and techniques used by artists such as Barbara Hepworth, turning household scrap into amazing sculptures!