Supporting art in Leeds since 1912

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.

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Continuum: Exhibition visit & talk
  • 11/09/2026
  • Harrogate

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

Supporting Leeds Art Galleries

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.

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Exterior view of Lotherton Hall - Water Buffalo in the gardens

Leaving Leeds Art Gallery recently after enjoying a Leeds Art Fund talk, my eye was caught by the inscription on the 1980 foundation stone for the extension – ‘This stone laid by Henry Moore:, Dr Jeffrey Sherwin, Leeds City Council:, Robert Rowe Director of Art Galleries.’ I realised that I had known all three thanks to my Leeds Art Fund membership. That is the strength of Leeds Art Fund, in addition to getting to know more about art and the in-depth Leeds collections, membership brings contact with fellow enthusiasts and visitors from the wider art world.

Jim Fox

Our Impact

Projects we have supported

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.

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Ro Elliott, pictured skating on Dani Abulhawa’s Drift Tricks, in the Central Court, in April 2024
Ro Elliott, pictured skating on Dani Abulhawa’s Drift Tricks, in the Central Court, in April 2024

Upcoming events

Become a Friend to Art in Leeds

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.

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