Gallery to close for City of Culture refurbishment

A major art gallery in Bradford is to close its doors to the public temporarily to undergo "significant" improvements ahead of the city's UK City of Culture 2025 celebrations.

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery would be closed between Tuesday 19 November and Friday 13 December, according to Bradford Council, which runs the site.

The government-funded work would see "essential refurbishment" taking place to "ensure the venue meets the highest standards for the upcoming cultural programme", a spokeseperson for the authority said.

The planned improvements included upgrading lighting and gallery spaces, enhancing accessibility features and modernising the gallery’s infrastructure, they added.

Bradford's UK City of Culture year is set to deliver more than 1,000 new performances and events, including 365 artist commissions, a series of major arts festivals as well as national and international collaborations.

Some of the gallery's exhibits were already being put into storage in advance of the temporary closure, meaning its ground floor galleries were already closed, the council spokesperson said.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, executive member for healthy people and places, said: “We are excited to embark on this transformative project.

"These improvements will not only preserve the historical essence of the gallery, but also elevate it to a new level of excellence, ready to welcome many more visitors during the district’s year as UK City of Culture in 2025.”

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery was expected to reopen to the public on Saturday 14 December, the council said.

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