The Grundy Art Gallery in Blackpool offers a contrast to the town’s often garish seaside attractions, providing a space dedicated to arts and culture. Opened in 1911, the gallery has become an integral part of Blackpool’s cultural landscape.
Over the years, the gallery has played a significant role in Blackpool’s cultural development. It has hosted numerous exhibitions featuring works by both local and international artists. The Grundy Art Gallery’s collection includes a range of paintings, prints and decorative arts, with a focus on British art from the 19th and 20th centuries. In recent years, the gallery has also become known for its contemporary art exhibitions, which often explore themes relevant to Blackpool’s social and cultural context.
![The Grundy Art Gallery is Blackpool’s principal art museum, noted for its collection of British modernist art. (Photo: Barbara Carr [CC BY-SA 2.0])](https://englandrover.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/grundy-art-gallery.jpg)
What to see at the Grundy Art Gallery
Visitors to the Grundy Art Gallery can see a diverse range of artworks across different media.
One of the highlights of the gallery’s permanent collection is its selection of British modernist works, including pieces such as Aircraftsman Shaw by Augustus John and the Yellow Funnel by Eric Ravilious. The gallery also houses an impressive collection of prints, ceramics, and decorative arts.
In addition to visual art, the Grundy Art Gallery occasionally features installations and performances that engage with the unique character of Blackpool.
Temporary exhibitions at the Grundy Art Gallery
In addition to its permanent collection, the Grundy Art Gallery hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions.
Current and planned exhibitions include:
Jason Wilsher-Mills MBE: Jason and the Adventure of the 254
This Wellcome Collection exhibition (until 20 December 2025) presents Jason Wilsher-Mills’s largest and most personal work. Drawing on his experience of becoming disabled as a child, it examines how society views the body, medicine and disability. Through sculpture, illustration and interactive elements, Wilsher-Mills uses humour and narrative to explore identity and resilience within contemporary culture.
After the Archive: The Grundy × Signal
This group exhibition (until 20 December 2025), presented by Signal and Grundy Art Gallery, features emerging artists from Barrow and Blackpool. Inspired by the Sankey Photography Archive, which documents over 70 years of life in the North West, participants created new work through a year-long programme of workshops led by Jack Brown and Tina Dempsey.
Visiting the Grundy Art Gallery
The Grundy Art Gallery is on Queen Street, just a short walk from Blackpool North railway station and the North Pier. Its central location makes it a convenient stop for those exploring the town’s other attractions.
The gallery is open from Tuesday to Saturday but may be closed when there are no scheduled exhibitions.
Admission is free of charge, although there may be an admission fee for some exhibitions.
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