Important Visitor Notices

Opening hours: From Sunday 16 March 2025, National Glass Centre will close on Sundays.

Read the full statement from University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland Statement

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National Glass Centre

Discover the art of glassmaking and its roots in the city

A promotional banner for Sunderland Culture’s Big Give 2025 Campaign, running from 18 to 25 March 2025. The left side of the banner features a collage of four photographs showing people engaged in creative activities, including screen printing, drawing, working with colorful fabrics, and arts and crafts. The right side of the banner has a blue background with bold green and white text reading, “Help improve wellbeing through creativity,” along with the campaign dates. Below, the text states, “Double your donation.” Logos for Sunderland Culture, Arts for Impact, and Big Give are included in the bottom right corner.

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See & Do

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Re-imag(in)ing WORK: Photographs from the IPRN Changing Faces Collection
Free
A tropical garden scene. There is a very green lawn, lot's of very green shrubbery. In the background is a salmon pink house. A man in a white jacket stands in front of the building. On the lawn are a flamboyance of flamingos.

Exhibitions

Re-imag(in)ing WORK: Photographs from the IPRN Changing Faces Collection

Showing in Sunderland Creatives Gallery

24 Mar – 27 Apr 2025
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National Glass Centre

Menagerie
Free
A grey ceramic elephant stands against a gradient grey background. The elephants head is facing left.

Exhibitions

Menagerie

Showing in the National Glass Centre Gallery

24 Mar – 31 May 2025
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National Glass Centre

Glass Zoo
Free
A gold bird shaped artwork with a clear glass head.

Exhibitions

Glass Zoo

Showing in the Balcony Gallery

24 Mar – 01 Jun 2025
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National Glass Centre

Autonomy
Free
Four framed colour portraits of teenagers and young adults. The pictures framed. The frame is black. They hang on a wall in a gallery. behind the portraits is a large blue block colour.

Exhibitions

Autonomy

Showing in the Learning Gallery

24 Mar – 26 Apr 2025
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National Glass Centre

Anne Vibeke Mou: Revolutions Per Minute
Free
A disintegrating vinyl record displayed as a negative with the addition of sections of sand

Exhibitions

Anne Vibeke Mou: Revolutions Per Minute

Showing in the National Glass Centre Gallery

24 Mar – 14 Jun 2025
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National Glass Centre

Five Week Kiln Formed Glass Course
A series of decorated glass tiles. The designs are from left to right; a sunflower, five brown fish swimming in a sky blue sea, a dog, a butterfly, an orange cat, seven green rectangles, and a navy blue and pink fish swimming between sea plants.

Adult Workshops and Activities

Five Week Kiln Formed Glass Course

5 week course running on Thursdays

27 Mar – 28 Aug 2025

16+

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National Glass Centre

See & Do

Explore what’s on

Exhibitions, workshops, glassmaking and more

See & Do
Visit Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art
A large grey room with a polished cement floor and large abstract paintings hung on the wall. Two people are gesturing at one painting in front of them and smiling.

We’re home to Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

Based inside National Glass Centre, the gallery showcases contemporary art in a range of media from talented national and international artists.

Visit Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

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
An angular glass and metal building, the National Glass Centre, with a large paved area in front of it with wooden benches.

Plan Your Visit

Find out how to get here and about our facilities before you visit

Plan your visit