The Barbican is a multi-arts, learning, and conference centre in the City of London. We’re a catalyst for creativity, sparking possibilities for artists, audiences, and communities.
We’re passionate about showcasing the most exciting art from around the world, pushing traditional artistic boundaries and helping us understand our lives in new and unexpected ways. Each year we present hundreds of different performances, events and exhibitions that entertain and inspire millions of people, create connections, provoke debate, and reflect the world we live in. Central to our purpose is supporting emerging talent, shaping opportunities that will accelerate the next generation of creatives.
Opened in 1982, the Barbican is a unique and audacious building, recognised globally as an architectural icon. As well as our theatres, galleries, concert halls and cinemas, we are home to a large conservatory with over 1,500 species of plants and trees, a library, conference facilities, public and community spaces, restaurants, bars, and a picturesque lakeside oasis.
Focussed firmly on the future, we’re working on ambitious plans to transform our building, reimaging what an arts centre can be and doing our part to address the climate crisis. Through our work on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, we will ensure the Barbican becomes a place where everyone belongs – where creativity, enterprise, and learning coexist, and everybody can achieve their fullest potential.
Our mission is to increase the public’s enjoyment and understanding of art.
When Tate first opened its doors to the public in 1897 it had just one gallery, displaying a small collection of British artworks. Today we have four major galleries and the national collection of British art from 1500 to the present day and international modern and contemporary art, which includes nearly 80,000 artworks.
Tate is a public institution owned by, and existing for, the public.
Championing the possibilities of new ideas in contemporary art since opening in 1970, Serpentine has presented pioneering exhibitions for almost half a century, showing a wide range of work from emerging practitioners to the most internationally recognised artists of our time, providing a place for them to experiment and an open platform for them to be seen and heard.
Across two sites in Kensington Gardens, Serpentine South and Serpentine North present a year-round, open programme of exhibitions, including education, live events and technological innovation in the park and beyond. Proud to maintain free access for all visitors, thanks to its unique location, the galleries also reach an exceptionally broad audience and connect with the local community.