What are the opening hours?

Wednesday 10:30am - 3pm Thursday 10:30am - 3pm Friday 10:30am - 3pm Saturday 10:30am - 3pm Sunday 12pm - 3pm

South Square Centre

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South Square Centre

South Square Centre is a community venue providing artist studios, a vegetarian cafe, a programme of art exhibitions, workshops for families & communities.

South Square Centre is an arts led community centre in the heart of Thornton, Bradford. The centre comprises of art galleries, community spaces, Thornton Antiquarian Societies archive, Rushworth's fine art framers, The Watchmakers bar, Plenty at the Square Vegetarian Cafe, as well as a variety of artist studio spaces. The centre hosts community events and a workshop programme for all ages, there a

re also community and meeting room spaces available to hire. The building is a collection of 19th Century workers cottages, in the village of Thornton, famous as the birthplace of the Brontë sisters and for its impressive 20-arch viaduct. South Square was renovated as a community arts centre in 1982, and since has been run by charity Thornton and Allerton Community Association Ltd, committed volunteers and a small team of part time staff.

23/06/2026

It's the last week to see the Unit 9 arts collective exhibition in The Gallery Upstairs. Here you'll find a great mix of the artists work, from paintings, to textiles, collages, prints and more!

All the artworks are for sale, and you can take them home with you there and then!

Head to South Square before 28th June to see it!

22/06/2026

📢Artist Talk Mandy Barker 📢

Join us on Friday 27th June to hear from artist Mandy Barker - Free event!

Mandy Barker will discuss her work currently on show in 'Costing the Earth' exhibition, and how she uses photography to raise awareness of the environmental impact of plastic in our oceans.

Barker is an international award-winning photographer whose work involving marine plastic debris over the past 16 years has received global recognition. Working with scientists she aims to raise awareness about plastic pollution in the world’s oceans whilst highlighting the harmful effect on marine life and ultimately ourselves.
Free event, donations welcome.��

Booking recommended via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/artist-talk-with-mandy-barker-tickets-1991077052061

Curated by Jane Hiley, Costing the Earth is an Impressions Gallery offsite exhibition in partnership with South Square Centre. Part of Impressions’ Summer of Sustainability programme.

19/06/2026

😁 We're Hiring - Emerging Curator 😁

South Square is seeking a Emerging Curator to join our team for a 8-month placement aimed at learning, developing skills and increasing confidence for someone at the beginning of their career in contemporary visual arts. The Emerging Curator will get the opportunity to work across all aspects of the centre’s delivery including exhibitions, public realm projects, community-led projects, events and audience development.

The placement is open to anyone who has an active interest in pursuing a career in curatorial practice, arts management or arts production in the visual arts.

https://southsquarecentre.co.uk/emerging-curator-vacancy

Deadline to apply - Monday 20th July
Interviews - Thursday 30th July
Start date - mid August

18/06/2026

✨ Treasurer Vacancy ✨

Just a couple of weeks left to appy:

South Square Centre is recruiting a treasurer to join our board of trustees, supporting the organisation through our next period of growth and development. We are looking for an experienced accountant or bookkeeper who can support this unique and exciting charity through 2 days per month time commitment.

We would be particularly interested in hearing from individuals in Bradford or West Yorkshire who are/have;

Experience of finance, financial controls, and business management
Experience in working as an accountant, bookkeeper or business manager
Understanding of best practice for preparing management accounts
Strong attention to detail
Able to commit to 2 days per month reviewing management accounts and high value transactions

For more information please see: https://southsquarecentre.co.uk/treasurer-vacancy

Deadline for expressions of interest: Friday 31st July 2026

17/06/2026

🎶 Sounds of Thornton 🎵 A mini music festival in partnership with Thornton Open Gardens!

Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July - FREE event!

Hosted alongside the annual Thornton Open Gardens, South Square is delighted to present Sounds of Thornton – a vibrant mini music event celebrating local talent and live performance.

As you explore the village and its beautiful open gardens, you'll also discover a soundtrack of live music along the way. Enjoy a fantastic mix of jazz, folk, brass bands and solo singers performing throughout the weekend.

Sounds of Thornton is free to enjoy, although tickets are required for Open Gardens.

See you there! 🎺

15/06/2026

Book Now - Kids Portrait Workshop. We invite participants to learn how to sculpt self portraits with clay. Saturday 1st August, 11am - 12:30pm, £16

Join local artist Jess Swift in this fun, hands-on workshop where children will create their own air-dry clay portraits.

Using clay, children will design and build their own portrait plaques, adding features, symbols, patterns, and textures that represent who they are. This might include:

Favourite activities or hobbies
Cultural patterns or family traditions
Words, shapes, or objects that feel important to them

All are now available to book. No experience necessary. All equipment included - just don't wear your best clothes!

Head to our website now to find out more or book directly via the links in our bio.

https://southsquarecentre.co.uk/whatson

12/06/2026

✏️ David Hockney 1937 - 2026 ✏️

Paying tribute to a proper Bradford legend today, the exceptional visionary talent David Hockney who has passed away at the age of 88. We’re always inspired by his work and legacy here in .

11/06/2026

This Saturday and Sunday (13th and 14th June), head to The Hepworth Wakefield for their Print Fair where you'll find our OUR TURN Print Collection on sale!

Come say hi and see and buy soem amazing work from:

Ken Woods

You'll find the prints they created for the OUR TURN festival, plus more of their personal work too.

https://hepworthwakefield.org/whats-on/the-hepworth-wakefield-print-fair-2026/

08/06/2026

Clay Workshops galore! 3 x evening workshops available to Book Now, only £25 a ticket!

We are bringing you a whole heap of clay workshops this Summer, all hosted by local artist,

Pinch Pot Vase Making Workshop. In this friendly, sociable pottery session, you’ll learn simple techniques to shape and form your own unique vases by hand. Starting with the basics, Jess will guide you through the process of turning a lump of clay into your own handmade vase!

Coil Making Workshop, Bowls and Planters. Create your own decorative bowl or planter using simple coiling techniques. Building up your form layer by layer, you’ll learn how to shape, refine, and personalise your piece.

Slab Building Wall Hanging workshop. Spend the evening learning the basics of slab building with clay. You’ll roll out clay, cut shapes, and piece them together to create your own wall hanging.

All are now available to book. No experience necessary. All equipment included - just don't wear your best clothes!

Head to our website now to find out more or book directly via the links in our bio.

https://southsquarecentre.co.uk/whatson

Address

South Square, Thornton
Bradford
BD133LD

Opening Hours

Wednesday	10:30am - 3pm
Thursday	10:30am - 3pm
Friday	10:30am - 3pm
Saturday	10:30am - 3pm
Sunday	12pm - 3pm

Telephone

+441274834747

Website

http://www.southsquarecentre.co.uk/

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