The Museum of Modern Art Oxford was founded in Oxford by architect Trevor Green in 1965. Its primary aim was ‘the advancement of education of the general public in the modern visual arts’. In September 1966, the Museum of Modern Art moved to a new home in the old brewery building on Pembroke Street, where we have been ever since. In 2002, we changed our name to Modern Art Oxford, a change that better reflected the gallery’s status as a ‘kunsthalle’, a home for a vibrant, changing programme of international art, rather than a museum.

Now, Modern Art Oxford is pleased to be considered one of the UK’s most important galleries of modern and contemporary art. Our current director, Michael Stanley took up the position in January 2009 and in January 2010 began a series of changes to the building, which included the transformation of the Gallery’s yard into a vibrant art and social space within the city centre. Working alongside architects dRMM, artist Richard Woods took on the first commission for this indoor-outdoor space.

In our 45-year history, we have worked with some of the most illustrious names in the contemporary visual arts – as artists, exhibition organisers and directors. Directors have included: Peter Ibsen (1970-73), Nicholas Serota (1973-76) and David Elliot (1976-96). Some of the world’s greatest artists have held significant, often ground-breaking exhibitions in our Pembroke Street galleries, including: Richard Long (1971); Sol Le Witt (1973) Joseph Beuys (1974); Donald Judd (1995); Marina Abramovich (1995); Carl Andre (1997).

We will be adding information on all of our past exhibitions gradually to our on-line archive. In the meantime, if you wish to find out more about our past exhibitions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Students and researchers are encouraged to make an appointment to visit our Gallery archive.