About YSP

YSP is a registered Charity which seeks to provide a centre of international, national and regional importance for the production, exhibition and appreciation of modern and contemporary sculpture. 

Founded in 1977 YSP is unique, offering visitors opportunities to experience great art within 500 acres of the Bretton Estate’s beautiful eighteenth-century, Grade II listed, landscapes. At any one time there are around 100 sculptures exhibited in the open air, including works by Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Anthony Caro, David Nash, Richard Long, Andy Goldsworthy, Antony Gormley, James Turrell and Sol Le Wit. There are also exceptional indoor galleries which have featured major exhibitions of work by some of the world’s most important artists, more recently; including Andy Goldsworthy, Jaume Plensa, Joan Mirό, Yinka Shonibare MBE, Bill Viola, Ursula Von Rydingsvard, Tony Cragg, and Joana Vasconcelos. 

YSP was named Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2014.  The Weston building, which opened in 2019 won several prestigious awards, including RIBA Yorkshire Building of the Year and was short listed for the Sterling Prize.

YSP is open all year round and ordinarily attracts over 500,000 visitors each year from all over the UK and overseas. This includes around 48,000 participants in a vibrant learning and community outreach programme.  Situated close to the M1, YSP has the capacity to reach the regional business community and national companies through our excellent hospitality and catering facilities, offering a distinctive venue for business meetings, team-days and corporate volunteering.

YSP is an accredited museum and gallery, and is supported by Arts Council England (ACE) as a National Portfolio Organisation.