Important Visitor Notice

From Sunday 16 March 2025, Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art and National Glass Centre will close on Sundays.

This will bring it in line with the opening hours of other galleries and museums across the city. Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art and National Glass Centre remains open with our usual programme of exhibitions and activities Monday-Saturday.

Additionally, in line with the new opening hours, Glass Yard Café will also close on Sundays and offer a revised menu on Mondays.

Read the full statement from University of Sunderland about the planned changes:  University of Sunderland Statement

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A blue grey coloured art gallery with concrete floor and columns. On the floor are two benches. On the walls are framed photographs by Mark Pinder. They are part of an exhibition entitled Macromancy: Britain and the North East of England, 1985-2022.
A blue grey coloured art gallery with concrete floor and columns. On the floor are two benches. On the walls are framed photographs by Mark Pinder. They are part of an exhibition entitled Macromancy: Britain and the North East of England, 1985-2022.

About Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

Over 50 years old, Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art has had various names and locations. Founded in 1969 as Bookshop Gallery, it later became Ceolfrith Arts Centre. In 1995, it became Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art. Despite these changes, the gallery’s commitment to innovative, experimental art has been constant. 

During its time it has given UK premieres to various artists. From Sean Scully to Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. From Sam Taylor-Wood to Spartacus Chetwynd. It gave the first UK shows to Cory Arcangel, and Harun Farocki before other galleries recognised their achievements.

Since 2006, Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art has acquired over 500 artworks by more than 50 artists or artist collectives with a focus on, but not limited to, lens-based media and the North East of England. Today the collection continues to grow, and is often loaned out across the United Kingdom.

Countless orange, ceramic figures of varying size and shape are tightly packed into a room with concrete columns just visible to the rear.
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A blue grey walled art gallery with concrete columns across the centre. The floor is also concrete. On the walls are paintings by the artist Laura Lancaster.
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A blue grey walled art gallery with concrete columns across the centre. The floor is also concrete. The space is filled with pieces from acclaimed artist Mike Nelson, comprising two sculptural installations - Taylor and Lionheart. Both works reflect on Britain's colonial past, migration, trade, and travel
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The room is a grey industrial building with concrete columns and floor. It is displaying a large piece of contemporary art that includes wood slats. There is a man looking at the artwork
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The room is a grey industrial building with concrete columns and floor. It has a large projector screen at far end. There is a man in a red jacket stood next to a tripod and camera on the screen
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