The Hepworth Wakefield Trust has secured funding totalling £400,000 from the Headley Trust (£150,000) and the Garfield Weston Foundation (£250,000).

The money will go towards the construction of the world-class gallery which is taking shape on the city's waterfront

Wakefield Council's regeneration supremo, Denise Jeffery, said: "These substantial grants from two of the UK's important charitable foundations are a fantastic funding boost for the Hepworth Wakefield.

"It is also a powerful endorsement of the national and international significance of gallery, and the ambitions that we have in Wakefield to provide world-class cultural attractions."

The chairman of the gallery trustees, Lord St Oswald, said: "On behalf of the trustees, I am delighted that the Headley Trust and the Garfield Weston Foundation have awarded such generous grants to the Hepworth Wakefield.

"The Hepworth Wakefield Trust is very pleased to be supporting this exciting project for Yorkshire and we hope that these are the first of many more fundraising successes."

Designed by internationally acclaimed British architect David Chipperfield the Hepworth will show a previously unseen collection of sculptures by Wakefield-born artist Barbara Hepworth – arguably one of the most important artists of the 20th century.

It will bring international contemporary art and historical exhibitions to Yorkshire and its ambitious, modern architecture will be a fitting home for Wakefield's outstanding collection of British art, which spans the 16th century to the present day.

Works by some of the most significant British artists of the 20th century will be displayed including Anthony Caro, Ben Nicholson, LS Lowry and Henry Moore, who was born just a few miles from the gallery site.

It will also showcase a collection of local landscapes from Wakefield and Yorkshire, most notably the Gott Collection – an internationally significant and rarely seen collection of watercolour paintings, sketches and prints.

When it opens in 2010, visitors will be able to experience art, architecture and design through a varied programme of talks, tours, concerts, film screenings and workshops, or simply relax in the gallery's café, shop and gardens.

The Hepworth Wakefield Trust is an independent charity that was established two years ago to support the new gallery.

It is seeking funding from charitable trusts and foundations, business and individuals to support the development of the Hepworth Wakefield as an art gallery of international significance.

Wakefield Council is leading the development with co-funding partners Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund, English Partnerships, Yorkshire Forward and the European Union.

It was as a result of a grant of £4.9m from the Heritage Lottery Fund that construction work on the gallery was able to start.

Its progress can now be watched online after a special website was set up. Visit www.hepworthwakefield.com