Two complementary galleries – one for art and one for photography – share space in the heart of Bradford City Centre.

Bradford 1 Gallery is Bradford Council’s free city centre art gallery – currently based in Centenary Square, the plan is to move it to Cartwright Hall when the new library opens in the city centre.

But that’s not going to happen until at least December, which gives you plenty of time to check out this wonderful city centre facility.

The mission of the Bradford 1 Gallery is to “enrich people’s lives by providing opportunities to engage with quality contemporary art” and part of that is bringing the work of artists with national and international reputations to the people of Bradford.

The Bradford 1 Gallery also acts as a showcase for some of the wonderful pieces of fine art held by Bradford Council.

Opened in October 2007, in a new building development in Centenary Square, the gallery shows four temporary exhibitions a year.

The laudable aim is to make contemporary art accessible to all, and there is an active learning programme which schools and educators can access by contacting the Education Officer on 01274 431216 to arrange a visit.

Sharing the space with Bradford 1 Gallery is the Impressions Gallery, which concentrates on independent photography and which will be remaining in Centenary Square after the move.

Impressions Gallery is an independent, not-for-profit space for contemporary photography. The aim is to show photography that gets you looking, thinking and talking.

Impressions opened 40 years ago as one of the first specialist photography galleries in the country, and played a vital role in changing the way people think about photography. With an international reputation, they continue to support and encourage artists and photographers who challenge and change photography.

Impressions believes photography is for everyone. Every year over 50,000 people visit the exhibitions, take part in workshops and events, or come together to exchange ideas in a friendly environment.

WHAT'S ON THIS SUMMER

Bradford 1 Gallery Bollywood Bradford & Beyond Now – Sat, Aug 24 2013 The exhibition will draw on Bradford’s collection of Indian Cinema Posters as well as photography and film from the Bradford Archives.

Inspired by Landscape: Watershed Landscape Artists and Writers Now - Sat, Aug 24 2013 ‘Inspired by Landscape’ will showcase the work of three visual artists and three writers: Sally Barker, Char March, Andrew McMillan, Angie Rogers, Anna Turner and Simon Warner.

Impressions Ever Young - James Barnor Now - Aug 31, 2013 Major survey of James Barnor’s work, spanning Ghana and London from the late 1940s to early 1970s. The exhibition showcases a range of street and studio photographs – modern and vintage – with elaborate backdrops, fashion portraits in glorious colour, as well as social documentary features, many commissioned for pioneering South African magazine Drum during the ‘swinging 60s’ in London.

Time for Tea Friday August 2 2013, 11.30am to 1.30pm Join the staff for tea and homemade cakes and enjoy a friendly, social morning in the Studio space overlooking City Park. At 12.30pm there will also be optional short talks about our current exhibition Ever Young by James Barnor.

Artist Talk with James Barnor Saturday August 10 2013, 2.00pm Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear photographer James Barnor talk about his work with Renée Mussai, Head of Archive at Autograph ABP, and curator of Ever Young.

Summer Party with James Barnor Saturday August 10 2013, 3.00pm Join us for our annual Summer Party with a chance to view our current exhibition Ever Young, meet exhibiting photographer James Barnor, and enjoy summer drinks and nibbles. Free, no booking required.

  • Address: Centenary Square, Bradford, BD1 1SD Telephone: 01274 437800 (Bradford 1) Telephone: 01274 737843. (Impressions) Website: bradfordmuseums.org. Opening times - Bradford 1 Tues, Wed & Friday 11am - 6pm Thurs (from 2 May) 11am - 8pm Sat 12 noon - 5pm Opening times - Impressions Tuesday - 11am to 6pm Wednesday - 11am to 6pm Thursday - 11am to 8pm Friday - 11am to 6pm Saturday - 12pm to 5pm Sunday - Closed Mondays - Closed Closed Bank Holidays. How to find it - From Centenary Square, head towards the BBC Big Screen and follow the pavement with the building on your right. The gallery entrance is on your right. The gallery is less than half a mile from Bradford Interchange and Forster Square Station. Admission to both galleries is free. Access and facilities - Fully accessible for wheelchair users. No parking (disabled or otherwise). The gallery overlooks Centenary Square, which offers a range of excellent cafes and restaurants. Gallery shop - The shop sells a wide range of art and photography journals, and Bradford 1 Gallery and Impressions Gallery publications.