Yorkshire Sculpture Park

The open-air collection comprises long and short term loans, gifts from artists and individuals and site-specific commissions. It holds one of the largest collections of bronze pieces by Henry Moore, and works by Barbara Hepworth, David Nash and Ai Weiwei.

The 'gallery without walls' has a changing exhibition programme, rather than permanent display, and regularly brings in new pieces and hosts events. There are always around 80 sculptures and installations to see in the open air. Alongside the sculptures in the park, there are five six indoor galleries.

It’s not just about the art. Wildlife thrives alongside the exhibits on the historic estate, including deer, sheep and Highland cows. In 2010, 150 acres of woodland was reopened to the public, and they run an ‘adopt a tree’ programme.

The free to enter park is experienced and enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. They also provide engaging learning opportunities to over 45,000 participants each year. As well as patrons and donations, the park is supported by core funding from Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation. Yorkshire Sculpture Park was awarded the Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year 2014 for its bold artistic vision.

This summer, the sculpture park plays hosts to the inaugural Yorkshire Sculpture International festival, a festival of sculpture across Leeds and Wakefield which includes an exhibition by David Smith, and works in the open-air pieces by Damien Hirst.

Peter Murray, YSP’s founding and executive director, says:

“For the last 42 years, Yorkshire Sculpture Park has given visitors a rich, memorable and unparalleled experience combining art and landscape; a full day out which feeds the soul and nourishes the mind. Whether you know your Moores from your Mirós or not, Yorkshire Sculpture Park is an accessible and enjoyable way to encounter art - surrounded by rolling Yorkshire countryside and roaming sheep.”