Modern Art Oxford
Contemporary art gallery in a former brewery in central Oxford, with a free ground-floor gallery, upper-gallery exhibitions, a studio and a café.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Modern Art Oxford was founded in late 1965 as the Museum of Modern Art Oxford by Trevor Green and a small group of enthusiasts, who began with small shows in a warehouse in King Edward Street. Its stated aim was to advance public education in the modern visual arts. In September 1966 it moved to a former brewery building on Pembroke Street, which has been its home ever since.
The gallery changed its name to Modern Art Oxford in 2002 to reflect its changing programme of temporary exhibitions. The Yard, a courtyard space with its own entrance from St Ebbe's Street, was created in 2002 by the architects de Rijke Marsh Morgan. A capital project costing 2 million pounds has more recently renewed the spaces.
Over the decades the gallery has shown many leading international artists, among them Agnes Martin, Robert Mapplethorpe, Yayoi Kusama and Marina Abramovic, and in 1993 it presented what it describes as the first showing of contemporary Chinese art in the UK. It does not have a permanent display but runs a changing programme across a ground-floor gallery, upper galleries and the Studio, together with archival displays about its own history. The artist Emma Hart designed the café as an immersive artwork. The gallery is a registered charity.
Highlights
- Changing exhibitions of international contemporary art
- Free ground-floor gallery with community-made exhibitions
- Café designed as an artwork by Emma Hart
- The Studio for hands-on art-making and workshops
- Archival displays on the gallery's history since 1965
- Founded
- 1965
- Operated by
- Modern Art Oxford (registered charity)
Admission & discounts
| Groups | –Groups must book at least two weeks ahead and are limited to 15 people, with staggered entry for larger groups. State schools, colleges and community groups visit free; other groups such as language schools, universities and corporate groups give a donation from 7 pounds per person. Curator introductions or tours cost 150 pounds plus VAT per group. |
|---|
The ground-floor gallery is free and needs no booking. The upper-gallery exhibitions are ticketed, with prices set for each exhibition; recent examples were 9.50 pounds (7 pounds concession) and a pay-what-you-can model of 6, 9 or 12 pounds. Friends of the gallery receive free tickets to ticketed exhibitions.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The public spaces are on three floors with step-free access to all of them. The St Ebbe's Street entrance is at street level; the Pembroke Street entrance has seven steps or a platform lift, and a passenger lift in the café serves the galleries and basement. An accessible toilet with baby changing is in the basement, and other toilets are down three steps. A wheelchair can be booked in advance and folding stools are available. Induction loops are available at the welcome desk and in the shop and café. Large-print guides, sensory maps, communication cards and ear defenders can be borrowed, and a visual story and access pack can be downloaded. Guide, hearing and assistance dogs are welcome. Three Blue Badge spaces are near the St Ebbe's Street entrance.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Baby changing facilities
- Kids’ birthday parties
Children are welcome in the galleries, and free activity sheets and sensory backpacks can be picked up at the welcome desk. The Studio offers hands-on art-making, and Make Play sessions for children aged 6 months to 5 years run with their parents or carers. Workshops for young people include Young Creatives sessions. Baby changing is in the basement accessible toilet. The Studio can be hired for children's birthday parties.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Oxford railway station
Oxford railway station is 0.6 miles away. Fast bus services link central Oxford with London (the Oxford Tube runs around the clock), and local Stagecoach and Oxford Bus Company routes stop a short walk from the gallery. The Park and Ride sites around Oxford are encouraged for car journeys.
By car
Parking available
The gallery encourages car-free visits. The nearest public car park is at the Westgate Shopping Centre, a 0.3-mile walk. Three Blue Badge spaces are near the St Ebbe's Street entrance.
- Accessible parking
The main entrance is on Pembroke Street, and a second entrance through the Yard is on St Ebbe's Street. Oxford currently operates a temporary congestion charge.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available in the café. The café, designed by Emma Hart, serves baguettes, soups, light lunches, cakes and coffee. The shop sells gifts and artworks by independent makers. There is a welcome space for relaxing or working.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
The ground floor, the café, the Studio and the Yard can be hired for events, with audio-visual equipment and in-house staff. The Studio is also available for children's birthday parties.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Groups of more than 10 can book tours in advance. A visual story and sensory map help visitors plan a visit. |
