As part of our mission to be a voice and advocate for the visual arts sector in Yorkshire & Humber, we’re amplifying the work of visual arts networks within the region (and sometimes beyond) through spotlights. This sits alongside our Artist Spotlights, where we give a platform to individual artists working within networks.
This time, we’re turning the spotlight on Humber Street Gallery in Hull, a place we regularly feature in our roundups and highlights, but one we thought deserved a closer introduction. We spoke to Dave McLeavy, their CEO & Artistic Director, to find out more about the gallery and what they do.
Photo credit: Humber Street Gallery by Jules ListerHumber Street Gallery is a contemporary art gallery in the heart of Hull's Fruit Market, dedicated to presenting ambitious exhibitions and events, supporting artists and making contemporary art accessible to everyone. Established in 2017, the gallery works with artists and organisations locally, nationally and internationally to develop new commissions, exhibitions and opportunities for creative exchange. Alongside its exhibition programme, the gallery supports artists at different stages of their careers through initiatives including Fruit Factory Guild, and delivers a programme of events, workshops and activities for children, young people and wider communities. Humber Street Gallery is operated by Absolutely Cultured, a registered charity and Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.
“Hull deserves a gallery that presents contemporary art of international quality, and people living in Hull and the surrounding region should have the opportunity to experience that on their doorstep.”
Please tell us a little bit more about your Yorkshire and Humber-based network/organisation, who it supports and why it was established.
Humber Street Gallery opened in 2017 as part of Hull's year as UK City of Culture, and I think the reason it exists is pretty simple. Hull deserves a gallery that presents contemporary art of international quality, and people living in Hull and the surrounding region should have the opportunity to experience that on their doorstep. We're based in the heart of Hull's Fruit Market, where we present exhibitions and commission new work with artists from across the region, the UK and internationally. But we're about more than just exhibitions. Supporting artists to develop their careers is a big part of what we do, alongside creating opportunities for children, young people and communities to engage with contemporary art. For me, it's about making sure Hull has a gallery it can be proud of. Somewhere that supports the incredible creative talent we have here, connects our city to the wider art world, and feels genuinely welcoming and accessible to everyone.
“For artists, I’d definitely recommend checking out our Fruit Factory Guild (FFG), which is a brilliant community of artists who come together to share ideas, develop their practice and support one another.”
How does being a part of a community of artists/art workers impact you and your own work?
For me, artists are the backbone of any creative community. Without artists, there wouldn't be an art world in the first place! Some of the most interesting people I've ever met have been artists, and I feel incredibly lucky that I get to work alongside them. Artists have a unique way of looking at the world, challenging how we think and making us see things differently. That's what makes working in the arts so interesting, and it's something that continues to inspire me. Ultimately, artists are at the heart of everything we do at Humber Street Gallery. Without their ideas, creativity and ambition, we simply wouldn't exist. They're absolutely essential to our success.
What changes would you like to see within the wider visual arts sector in the UK?
I'd love to see more spaces where artists can experiment, try new ideas and develop their practice without necessarily having the pressure of producing something at the end of it. We're fortunate in Hull to already have a really interesting mix of artist-led spaces, studios and creative organisations, but I don't think you can ever have too many! These spaces are so important for nurturing creativity, encouraging collaboration and giving artists the freedom to take risks. I'd love to see more of this happening across the UK, particularly in places where artists might not have access to the same opportunities or resources as those in larger cities.
Credit: Headshot Dave McLeavy, HSG CEO & Artistic Director“I’d love to see more spaces where artists can experiment, try new ideas and develop their practice without necessarily having the pressure of producing something at the end of it. ”
If someone were interested in getting involved or joining your community, what would you recommend they do?
First of all, come and visit us! Whether that's to see an exhibition, attend an event or just have a look around, there's always something happening at Humber Street Gallery. For artists, I'd definitely recommend checking out our Fruit Factory Guild (FFG), which is a brilliant community of artists who come together to share ideas, develop their practice and support one another. It's a really important part of what we do at HSG. And more generally, I'd encourage anyone who hasn't visited Hull before to come and spend some time here. There's a fantastic creative community in the city, with some brilliant artist-led spaces, galleries and organisations doing really interesting things. There's much more happening here than people might realise!
Credit: Zivarna Murphy ‘I am black because I come from the earth’s inside’ Oct 2026, Photography credit, Jules ListerWhat have you got coming up at Humber Street Gallery that you're looking forward to?
2027 is going to be a really exciting year for us, as Humber Street Gallery celebrates its 10th anniversary! I can't give too much away just yet, but we've got some brilliant things in the pipeline, including exhibitions featuring international artists alongside some incredible talent from Hull and East Yorkshire. We're also planning an exciting programme of events and activities that will give people lots of different ways to get involved. It's a pretty special milestone for the gallery, and we're looking forward to celebrating it with the artists, audiences and communities who have been part of our journey over the past decade, as well as hopefully welcoming plenty of new faces along the way. Watch this space!
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Currently running at Humber Street Gallery is ‘I am black because I come from the earth’s inside’ by Zivarna Murphy until 7th February 2027. Thanks to Dave for chatting with us!
Links:
Website https://humberstreetgallery.co.uk/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/humberstreetgallery
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/humberstreetgallery
Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/humberstgallery.bsky.social
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/humberstreetgallery/