You don't need to trek down to London to catch world-class sculpture, iconic portraiture, or radical DIY art - there is more than enough sitting right on our doorstep this month if you know where to look.
Given the heat and train lines also... maybe that wide berth should be considered (for now, southerners).
Across August, Leeds is playing host to everything from Oscar-winning Hollywood photography and Dada pioneers to immersive mill takeovers and park-based abstract painting.
While the big city centre galleries are holding down some proper heavy hitters this month, August is quietly stacked with great exhibitions in places you might not normally think to look—from quiet library archives on campus to country estates, independent studio cellars, and even a park in Beeston.
If you're looking to take in a bit of culture over the next few weeks, here is the complete rundown of 13 exhibitions and art displays happening across the city.
1. Cecil Beaton: Staging Icons (until 4 October 2026)
A major summer portraiture exhibition in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery featuring over 50 era-defining shots of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, and Queen Elizabeth II alongside rare archival material. 🎨 Harewood House
2. The Magic Show (until 27 September 2026)
An immersive presentation in partnership with Pyramid and Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre showcasing vibrant works by neurodivergent and learning-disabled artists focused on mythical creatures, wizardry, optical illusions, and handmade zines. 🎨 Sunny Bank Mills Gallery, Farsley
3. Dinner Party: With Matthew Smith, Jacob Epstein, Olivia Bax (until 29 August 2027)
A bold dialogic display bringing together works by Matthew Smith, Jacob Epstein, and contemporary sculptor Olivia Bax to explore visual conversations across eras, materials, and form. 🎨 Leeds Art Gallery | Leeds Art Gallery
4. Garth Evans: The Anti-Virus Sculptures (until 3 October 2026)
A feature profiling the acclaimed British sculptor's recent work, exploring organic forms, complex geometries, and tactile responses developed during recent years of global disruption. 🎨 Leeds Art Gallery | Leeds Art Gallery
5. Arp: The Plasters (until 4 October 2026)
A dedicated display examining the pivotal role plaster played in the creative process of avant-garde master Jean Arp, offering rare insight into the delicate physical models behind his modern sculptures. 🎨 Leeds Art Gallery
6. Sophie Taeuber-Arp: A Legacy in Print (until 3 October 2026)
An intimate library archive display profiling the ground-breaking Dada pioneer's graphic work, geometric patterns, and publication designs, highlighting her massive influence on modern abstract movement. 🎨 Sculpture Research Library, Henry Moore Institute | Henry Moore Institute