The Henry Moore Institute

About The Henry Moore Institute

The Henry Moore Institute is a world-recognised centre for the study and enjoyment of sculpture, based in the centre of Leeds. We are part of the Henry Moore Foundation, a charity which was set up by the artist and his family in 1977 to encourage public appreciation of the visual arts. Today, the Henry Moore Institute offers a vibrant exhibition and events programme and an extensive sculpture library and archive.

The Sculpture Research Library can be found on the first floor of the Henry Moore Institute. The library is open to all, Monday to Friday 10am-5pm. You can check what we hold on an artist or subject by searching our library catalogue. Tours of the library are available for groups on request and staff are always on hand to assist you in your research.

The library holds over 30,000 printed books and digital resources on sculpture. Our collection is international in scope and includes sculpture from the earliest periods to the present day. It is particularly strong on British sculpture post-1850 and modern and contemporary international sculpture. We subscribe to twenty art journals, including the Sculpture Journal, Frieze, Art Newspaper and Flash Art.

Our special collections include key historical journals such as Ark, The Island and Signals. We have a growing collection of artists’ books which explore sculptural themes, including handmade limited editions, such as Yoko Terauchi’s Ebb & Flow (Coracle Press, 1988).

Gifts and donations are accepted but must be arranged in advance.

We also collect ephemera on British sculptors and artists who have exhibited at the Institute. Our artists’ files hold everything from exhibition invitations, press cuttings, auction records, to magazine articles.  You can also listen to recordings of past lectures, explore conference papers, or watch footage from past exhibitions at the Institute.

A large proportion of our collections are available to browse and you can connect to our online resources via Wi-fi. But you have to look at them here, our resources are reference only.

The library also houses the Henry Moore Institute Archive of Sculptors’ Papers which contains a wealth of material relating to British sculptural practice. Holdings include sketches, notebooks, photos, correspondence, press cuttings and more. It’s free to use, but booking in advance is essential.