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Our Governance

The Barber Institute's building is owned and maintained by the University of Birmingham.

The collections at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts are acquired and owned by the Henry Barber Trust. The Trust contributes extensively towards the purchase of works of art, the collections' care and conservation, and the museum's capital and running costs, including its exhibition and education programmes. It also provides funding for the Fine Art and Music libraries in the Barber Institute and the public concerts programme.

Further financial support is received from the Government through the Higher Education Funding Council for England, as well as smaller income streams such as the gallery shop, grants from charitable trusts and bodies including the Friends of the Barber Institute, the Patrons of the Barber Institute, and donations from businesses and private individuals.

The Barber Institute Steering Committee, chaired by the University of Birmingham's Vice Principal, Professor Michael Sheppard, and also comprising representatives from the University's College of Arts and Law, the Henry Barber Trust and the Friends of the Barber Institute, meets regularly to advise the Director of the Barber Institute on policy and management issues.