Cartwright Hall Art Gallery

Set within the beautiful surroundings of Lister Park, just one mile from Bradford city centre, Cartwright Hall Art Gallery has been welcoming visitors since 1904.

Home to Bradford’s nationally significant art collection, the gallery brings together Victorian, modern and contemporary art alongside changing exhibitions, family activities and events throughout the year.

Bradford was one of the first local authority museum services in the UK to actively collect work by South Asian and Black artists. Today, this nationally important collection sits alongside works from across the centuries, reflecting the city’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.

The story of Bradford’s art collection began before Cartwright Hall itself. The city’s first art museum opened on Kirkgate in 1879, where annual selling exhibitions helped establish a permanent collection for the people of Bradford. As the collection grew, Samuel Cunliffe Lister donated £40,000 towards creating a purpose-built civic art gallery within Lister Park. Cartwright Hall opened in 1904 and, more than 120 years later, continues to grow and evolve through its permanent collection and programme of changing exhibitions.

While you’re here, why not enjoy refreshments in the Refreshment Room Café or take time to explore Lister Park, one of Bradford’s most-loved parks and home to beautiful gardens, a boating lake and family-friendly play areas.

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