Galleries, museums and visual arts
Details of key organisations and resources for galleries and museums are listed below.
Forthcoming events and activites are listed on the galleries and museums - what's on page.
For information on galleries to rent, darkrooms and specialist facilities, please see the arts premises and venues pages.
If you'd like your event or organisation listed on these pages, please email us at: artsweb@lambeth.gov.uk (providing concise details, contacts, times and access information) or submit your details for inclusion in the Lambeth Arts Database.
Local galleries and museums
The 198 Gallery was established in 1988 after the Brixton riots to support the work of Black artists by meeting their needs for exhibition space. It is now a venue for artists from diverse cultural backgrounds and has gained a profile for innovative issue based exhibitions and multicultural art education.
Independent organisation based in Kennington, providing a resource for the development and presentation of contemporary art. It was set up by artists with the aim of occupying a niche between the commercial and the alternative.
Kennington-based archives collecting, preserving and celebrating the history and culture of black people in Britain.
Block 336
Block 336 is an artist-led gallery with 450 square metres of exhibition space. Block 336 has a programme of exhibitions and events that will take place throughout the year. Block 336 promotes engagement and critical discussion of contemporary art and ideas and, as a not-for-profit organisation, will partner with local charities and other institutions to offer their Access to Art Programme.
London’s Cinema Museum is devoted to keeping alive the spirit of cinema from the days before the multiplex. Set in historic surroundings in Kennington, close to the Elephant and Castle, the Cinema Museum houses a unique collection of artefacts, memorabilia and equipment that preserves the history and grandeur of cinema from the 1890s to the present day.
Kennington-based gallery which houses contemporary art.
Museum focusing on the life and work of Florence Nightingale. Part of St Thomas' Hospital, it also offers a range of educational services.
Gallery and studios with links to the international Triangle Arts Trust. Gasworks incorporates an international residency programme which enables artists from all over the world to live and work in London for three months. The public are invited to meet the visiting artists and view their work at the Studio Exhibition.
Part of the Southbank Centre, the Hayward is one of London's major contemporary art sites. Includes an education department and bookshop.
Gallery in the heart of Brixton Village showcaseing local artists, with exhibitions of original paintings, drawings, photography and prints.
The Imperial War Museum is unique in its coverage of conflicts - especially those involving Britain and the Commonwealth - from WW1 to the present day. It seeks to encourage and provide for the study and understanding of the history of modern war and the war-time experience.
The borough's record office and local history library.
Offers diverse arts programmes which combine exhibitions, education, textile printing, business advice and project management.
It brings together artists and designers with emerging practitioners and local groups. It aims to strengthen links between contemporary art and design and to provide opportunities for small businesses.
Gallery at the adult education college in north Lambeth.
Based in central Brixton, Photofusion is London's largest independent photography centre. Unique in the breadth of their work and services, they provide access to a contemporary gallery space, darkrooms, studio, digital and mixed print bureau services, skills-based training, a picture library and an ongoing creative support programme for professional, student and amateur photographers.
Based in the heart of London's South Bank. A collective of 32 contemporary artists - both galleries are filled with sumptuous colours and subtle surprises in paintings, sculpture, prints and ceramics.
Contemporary art exhibition space showing the work of of national and international living artists. South London Gallery has a reputation for changing the direction of the contemporary art scene in London. It also provides a range of debates, seminars and talks from key figures in the fields of art journalism, broadcasting and curatorship.
Arts centre located in central Clapham, providing a large gallery and performance space plus affordable artists studios. Corporate events also catered for.
The national gallery of British art from 1500 to the present day; holds the greatest collection of British art in the world.
International modern art dating from 1900 to the present day, plus special exhibitions and a broad public programme of events.
Gallery based in Oxo Tower Wharf on the south bank of the Thames.
The Viewfinder Photography Gallery showcases the work of emerging and established photographers. The Viewfinder is dedicated to the promotion and discussion of photography as an art form and conducts photography workshops at least once a month, including outreach workshops in the community or at their gallery.
Based in Oval, Zoom In is a popular, not-for-profit school for photography, enabling both individuals and community groups from the Greater London area to explore and engage with all aspects and all levels of photography. Zoom In holds an ongoing programme of exhibitions, talks and events and welcomes submissions for solo or group exhibitions from both emerging and established photographers.
Useful resources
The site includes a new Direct Data Entry facility that enables museums and galleries to input and amend their own details whenever they want. This effectively gives the existing 2,500 UK institutions currently on 24 Hour Museum's database a free micro-site.