The Burton Art Gallery and Museum aims to be recognised as one of the leading cultural venues within the South West. Synonymous with the most exemplary forms of its practice and attracting a wide range of audiences of all ages from the local and international communities alike it provides the opportunity to access and engage with artists, collections and exhibitions on all levels.
It does this by-
• Bringing into the region and initiating exhibitions of significance that enable visitors to see aspects of British and foreign material not represented within its permanent collections.
• Collecting, safeguarding and making accessible artefacts and artworks, with specific relation to local artists, local landscape or heritage and local interests.
• Putting education at the core of the organisation enabling all our visitors and users to engage with our collections and exhibitions for inspiration, learning, research and enjoyment
The Burton Art Gallery and Museum was established in 31 October 1951, by Thomas Burton, a local businessman, and Hubert Coop, a successful artist. The gallery was opened to commemorate the untimely death of Burton’s daughter, Mary. In a letter to the Bideford Gazette in October 1949, Coop wrote;
‘It’s a happy chance that two old townsmen have come together to make a last effort to leave the town richer than they found it. The gallery should be a peaceful haven where one may take a quiet look at beautiful things; a gallery for the enjoyment, education and good of all, old and young, inhabitants and visitors, - everyone and as far as one can tell, of lasting credit to the living and those to come…’
Throughout Coop’s life he amassed a fine collection of paintings, porcelain and antiques, and because he felt that there was a special appreciation of the arts in Bideford, he left his collection to the town, provided that it would be ‘properly housed’. He was eventually instrumental in assisting Thomas Burton, Mayor, Alderman, Freeman of the Borough, and philanthropist, to build the Burton Art Gallery in memory of his daughter, Mary, who died in 1949. The Coop collection was truly ‘properly housed’ and it forms the basis of The Permanent Collection.
The Gallery architect was Frank Whiting, who also designed Coop’s home on Goats Hill, Northam, overlooking the river. Hubert Coop died in 1953 aged 80. In his obituary in the Bideford Gazette, January 1953, it was said: ’ His generosity in connection with the starting of the Burton Gallery will be a lasting reminder…’
In 1994 the gallery was significantly extended and refurbished increasing its capacity to approximately 4 times its original size. As such it now incorporates 3 exhibition spaces, a museum display space, a craft gallery, a retail shop area, an education space and a coffee shop.
In 2008 the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) service was brought within the provision of the BAG&M as one of the facilities it provides. In addition, the long serving curator retired, and new roles were created, including that of the Visual Arts Manager, the lead managerial role, and the Collections and Exhibitions Officer. The BAG&M now sits within the Culture and Leisure department at Torridge District Council, overseen by the Culture and Leisure Service Manager (C&L manager).
The Burton Art Gallery and Museum consists of;
- Bideford Museum Display Area,
- Temporary Exhibition Spaces,
- Craft Gallery,
- Gallery and Local Gift Shop,
- Education Space
- Tourist Information and
- Cafe du Parc
The Burton Art Gallery is fully wheelchair accessible.
Traditional French fare is on the menu at the Burton’s popular café-bistro. Open throughout the year Café du Parc is the ideal place to meet with friends, relax eat and drink in artistic surroundings. Café du Parc can also be booked to provide catering for hire events at the Burton.
Cafe du Parc also runs a programme of concerts for diners to enjoy alongside their lunch. To fnd out more about the programme, pick up a Burton programme next time you visit the gallery, download the Burton programme of all events and exhibitions from January - June 2012 as a PDF(click here), click onto the calender on the Burton's website or contact the Cafe direct.
To book a place on any of the Café du Parc events - Tel: 01237 429317
The Burton shop sells a wide range of quality merchandise linked to the exhibitions programme and permanent collection as well as souvenirs relating to Bideford.
October - June
Monday - Saturday: 10am - 4pm
Sunday: 11am - 4pm
July - September
Monday - Friday: 10am - 5pm
Saturday: 10am - 4pm
Sunday: 11am - 4pm
Admission is free
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The Burton Art Gallery and Museum is located on Kingsley Road, Bideford, adjacent to Victoria Park.
Car parking facilities are available opposite the Burton (short stay) and 100 yards away in Riverbank car park (long stay).
Burton Art Gallery and Museum, Kingsley Road, Bideford, Devon. EX39 2QQ
Set in Victoria Park, close to parking facilities and the centre of Bideford, the Burton is a fantastic venue for organisations to hire, whether for social occassions or formal meetings the exhibitions and displays provide an impressive and thought provoking backdrop within which to welcome your guests.
The Burton can accommodation a range of events and activities including;
Hire Charges 2010/11 (links to a PDF download)
Aplication to Hire Booking Form (links to a PDF download)
If you are interested in hiring the Burton and would like to discuss your needs and the rates of hire with a member of staff please do not hestitate to contact us. We can help make that meeting or special occassion really work for you.
Click here for location and parking facilities information.
The Education Space - Meetings Layout - can seat up to 20 people
The Education Space - Theatre Layout - can seat up to 50 people
The Education Space - ready to use!
The Kitchen area in the Education Space. Visitors hiring the Education Space are welcome to use the kitchen facilities, please see hire charges.
Welcome to Volunteering at the Burton – General Overview
At the Burton we actively encourage and seek members of the community and students to become part of our team through volunteering. Volunteers are vital to us in achieving our vision and objectives. We aim to encourage, develop and support volunteer involvement in our service within all appropriate departments, programmes and activities. The Burton is committed to its volunteer programme as a way of encouraging people’s involvement in the museum, which supports and enriches our work and the overall experience of our visitors.
A volunteer is anyone who without recompense performs an activity at the direction of and on behalf of the Burton. Volunteers may be involved in a range of activities and will supplement the service provided. Volunteers bring new skills and perspectives to the organisation and can undertake activities that would not otherwise be carried out.
There are many different reasons for becoming a volunteer including; Social reasons, Meeting with people who share a similar interest, Satisfaction of knowing they have helped make the collections more accessible to the public, Interest in collections, local heritage, the arts, To develop or gain new skills, To put existing skills to good use, To gain a sense of achievement.
At the Burton we will strive to develop volunteer roles that promote and support the above reasons for volunteering. The main volunteers roles we offer are:
• Volunteer Gallery Assistant
• Volunteer Guide /Enhanced Gallery Assistant
• Volunteer Gallery Education Assistant
• Volunteer Art Handling and Collections Care Assistant
• Volunteer Marketing and Promotions Assistant (tbc)
We are currently recruiting volunteers for Kids Krate - download a role description here.
For further information on volunteering at the Burton, please contact us for an informal discussion.
Volunteer Profile – Lisa Pow
Lisa has been volunteering at the Burton on the Kids Krate and children’s workshops. Read her thoughts on volunteering at the Burton
Describe yourself
I am a friendly, outgoing 21 years old, student currently at university studying on a BA Fine Art at De Monfort. I’ve lived in Bideford all my life, and have grown up visiting the Burton. I’ve always had an interest in the arts; I even remember having work in the Burton as part of the schools exhibition when I was at primary school.
What made you think about volunteering?
I was mainly interested in volunteering because of the course I am on I thought volunteering would be a good way of gaining additional experience and would be great for my CV. It’s not something we’re told to do and I won’t be marked on it but it will certainly stand me in good credit in terms of when I leave in July 2012. Quite a few of my friends are doing similar things in terms of volunteering and gaining work experience, and personally I wanted to gain some experience in an area of the arts I didn’t know much about so that I could think about my future career.
What made you think about volunteering at the Burton?
I’d come home for the summer from Uni and the Burton was the perfect place to volunteer for me. I also work in local gift shop in Westward Ho! So fitting in volunteering at the Burton around my shifts was easy. It’s an art gallery and museum and it runs a great range of activities and events and I was interested in finding out more about arts education – the Burton fitted the bill
What have you been doing at the Burton?
I’ve been volunteering on the Kids Krate – an under 5’s art and craft activity that runs every Friday from 1 – 3pm, and on the summer programme of children’s workshops. I’ve mainly worked on the Kids Krate, helping to plan and lead the sessions, documenting the work produced and generally working with the parents and children to assist them in some of the making activities. Some parents when they first come along aren’t confident in their own making abilities so my role has been to support them in growing their confidence.
I was really surprised about the level of responsibility I was given as a volunteer, as I literally thought I would just be making the tea! But actually the main reason I continued volunteering and getting so much out of working on the Kids Krate has been because of the level of trust I’ve been given. I never thought I would enjoy working with kids, especially under 5’s, but I’ve discovered a confidence that I didn’t think I had and I am now seriously considering working with children delivering art activities as part of my career.
What's been the best thing?
Definitely the level of trust and responsibility – it made me feel more like I was part of the team, my views and opinions were taken on board and put into action.
It was also great to work alongside the Burton staff, including Karen Hawkins, a public artist who tutors on some of the children’s workshops. Feedback from staff was really useful, and Karen gave me a real insight into what it would be like being an artist and earning a living delivering educational projects. It was so good to hear from someone who actually does what I want to do, and was in my position 10-15 years ago.
What's been the worst thing?
The Under 5’s Kids Krate is a drop in session – which means you never know exactly how many people will turn up. This is quite scary and makes you feel unprepared. One of the last sessions of the summer was based around pirates and we were swamped with regulars, new local attendees and holiday makers. I didn’t think we could cope – but we did and it was fantastic. It meant that I learnt a lot about my abilities and delivering to large volumes of visitors – it turned out to be one of the best sessions I was involved in and I really enjoyed it.
If this is something you in connection to a future career - how will it help you?
I am definitely considering working in arts education in the future and it’s given me a real insight and confidence into pursuing this as a career.
Would you volunteer again?
This has been my first experience of volunteering, and I would definitely do it again, at the Burton or at another arts based project.
Would you recommend volunteering at the Burton - and on the Kids Krate activities?
Yes – if you do want to test the waters, the Burton is a fantastic place to start.
For general enquires relating to the Burton Art Gallery and Museum;
Email: burtonartgallery@torridge.gov.uk
Tel: 01237 471455
For enquires relating to Tourist Information on Bideford:
Email: bidefordtic@torridge.gov.uk
Tel: 01237 477676 or 01237 421853
Miranda Clarke
Visual Arts Manager
Email: miranda.clarke@torridge.gov.uk
Warren Collum
Exhibitions and Collections Officer
Email: warren.collum@torridge.gov.uk
Nicky Crispin
Gallery/Tourist Information Supervisor
Email: nicky.crispin@torridge.gov.uk
Julian Vayne
RJ Lloyd Learning Development Officer
Email: julian.vayne@torridge.gov.uk
Information Officers – can be contacted via the generic email and phone number above
Jennie Pengilly
Victoria Lindo (with Retail Responsibility)
Emily Paine (with Retail Responsibility)
Hilary Williams
For further information on the Friends of the Burton Art Gallery and Museum, click here.
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