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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Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

Bringing some of the world’s leading contemporary visual artists to Sunderland

The Skin We Live In: Portraits from the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art Collection
Free
A barrel of a cannon points from left to right. The whole cannon has been covered in a shiny pink cloth. A female, also dressed completely in pink, bends at a right angle and sticks her head into the cannon. The cannon and the female are standing on very dry grass.

Exhibitions

The Skin We Live In: Portraits from the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art Collection

22 Feb – 02 Mar 2025
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Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

Harry Griffin: My name is Harry, these are my pictures and they are nice
Free
The comedian Joe Lycett stands in front of a theatre dressing room mirror. There are lights around the mirror. He is reflected reading a prompt card. He is using is mobile phone. Tour manager and photogrtapger Harry Griffin sits at the back of the room taking a photograph of Joe. Coats and clothing are hung up at the back of the room

Exhibitions

Harry Griffin: My name is Harry, these are my pictures and they are nice

Showing in Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art Collection Space & Pop Recs Ltd.

22 Feb – 02 Mar 2025
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Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

Hetain Patel: Come As You Really Are
Free
A colourful abstract mosaic of red, salmon pink, yellow and orange

Exhibitions

Hetain Patel: Come As You Really Are

Showing in the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

22 Mar – 06 Jul 2025
More

Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

See & Do

The Skin We Live In: Portraits from the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art Collection
Free
A barrel of a cannon points from left to right. The whole cannon has been covered in a shiny pink cloth. A female, also dressed completely in pink, bends at a right angle and sticks her head into the cannon. The cannon and the female are standing on very dry grass.

Exhibitions

The Skin We Live In: Portraits from the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art Collection

22 Feb – 02 Mar 2025
More

Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

Harry Griffin: My name is Harry, these are my pictures and they are nice
Free
The comedian Joe Lycett stands in front of a theatre dressing room mirror. There are lights around the mirror. He is reflected reading a prompt card. He is using is mobile phone. Tour manager and photogrtapger Harry Griffin sits at the back of the room taking a photograph of Joe. Coats and clothing are hung up at the back of the room

Exhibitions

Harry Griffin: My name is Harry, these are my pictures and they are nice

Showing in Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art Collection Space & Pop Recs Ltd.

22 Feb – 02 Mar 2025
More

Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

Playing on the Screen: Kasia Parker - The Land of Oak and Iron
Free
A forest scene with lots of green foliage. A stone wall is covered in moss.

Exhibitions

Playing on the Screen: Kasia Parker - The Land of Oak and Iron

Showing on National Glass Centre Ground Floor Screen.

22 Feb – 23 Mar 2025
More

Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

Hetain Patel: Come As You Really Are
Free
A colourful abstract mosaic of red, salmon pink, yellow and orange

Exhibitions

Hetain Patel: Come As You Really Are

Showing in the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

22 Mar – 06 Jul 2025
More

Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

The Caravan Gallery: Sunderland Pride of Place Project - Ten Years On
Free
A social club on a street. Between the upstairs and downstairs windows there is a large sign. The sign has the words The Cavern written on it. Behind the social club is a block of flats. The sky is blue.

Exhibitions

The Caravan Gallery: Sunderland Pride of Place Project - Ten Years On

Showing in Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art Collection Space

22 Mar – 11 May 2025
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Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

NHS Darkroom with Johannah Churchill: Come As You Really Are
Free
A split image. The left hand image shows a female with eyes closed. She may be blind. She is dressed in a sky blue NHS nurses work shirt. The right hand image shows an operating theatre. There are two surgeons dressed in scrubs working an operation. This image is in black and white.

Exhibitions

NHS Darkroom with Johannah Churchill: Come As You Really Are

Showing in Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art Collection Space

17 May – 05 Jul 2025
More

Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

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Explore what’s on

Exhibitions, preview events and more

Full Listings

Learn & Create

Schools & Education
A group of school children stand in a workshop that has by tables with art supplies on them and various pieces of equipment. An adult at the head of the circle talks to the group looking down at something in front of them.

Schools & Education

Educational workshops for various ages and subjects as well as guidance for self-led visits.

Schools & Education
Children & Families
A group of children and adults stand behind a barrier and watch as molten glass is poured out of a metal ladle and into a dish of sand.

Children & Families

Enjoy your family trip with fun activities and trails to inspire little ones.

Children & Families
SEND
A child wearing an orange backpack looks through a pink piece of plastic they are holding in their hand. Another child behind them is wearing a pink backpack and looking down at a booklet they're holding.

SEND

Make the most of your visit with fun activities and safe spaces for SEND children and young people.

SEND
Plan your visit
A large, angular glass building with metal facade.

Find us in the National Glass Centre

Based inside National Glass Centre, the gallery focusses on new work made in photography, 
film & video, and twenty-first century media.

Plan your visit
Two groups of people gather around photographs in black frames hanging on a wall in a grey exhibition space. Behind the people is a long black cushioned bench.

Make a donation

We want more people to enjoy and experience creativity and culture. Your donation can make a real difference to our work.

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