SOAS Gallery

About the museum

The SOAS Gallery opened in 1996 as the Brunei Gallery and has been known by its present name since 2024. It sits in Bloomsbury, opposite the main SOAS campus, and serves both as a student resource and as a public venue. In that time it has staged more than 200 exhibitions and projects by artists, researchers and academics.

Its programme mixes contemporary and historical work from Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The gallery links the research done at SOAS with audiences outside the university and presents the cultures of these regions to the public.

In 2007 a collection of artworks was formalised as the SOAS Object and Artwork Collection. It is looked after by the gallery, is open to the public to view and for research, and now holds more than 500 works and objects, with a focus on contemporary art.

Highlights

• Changing exhibitions of contemporary and historical art from Asia, Africa and the Middle East
• Japanese Roof Garden, a quiet space reached through the galleries
• Foyle Gallery on the ground floor, with large-print exhibition texts
• Free entry

Permanent exhibition

• Japanese Roof Garden – A calm garden on the roof of the building, intended for relaxing and meditating, reached through the exhibition galleries and open at the same times.

Founded

1996

Operated by

SOAS, University of London

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry to the gallery is free according to a London events listing; the gallery website does not mention an admission charge.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The public entrance faces the main SOAS campus and has a ramp to the right of the door. The gallery is spread over three levels, which are linked by stairs and a lift, but the lift to the first-floor gallery and the roof garden is currently out of service. Wheelchairs can be borrowed on site and staff will help on request. There is an accessible toilet in the building; ask at reception for help. Large-print versions of all texts in the Foyle Gallery are kept on the table inside the gallery and can be sent in digital form on request.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.