About us

We want everyone, from all communities in the UK and abroad, to explore the work, lives and contribution of British and European artists of Jewish descent alongside their national and international peer groups and from within the artistic and social context of our cultural heritage.

 “Ben Uri has become an important element in the presentation of modern art in London”

Sandy Nairne, Director National Portrait Gallery

Addressing contemporary issues through art

Ben Uri is an educational art museum, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of all whom it impacts. We embrace a broad and fully inclusive role in today’s society and address contemporary issues through art and social history. Let Ben Uri inspire, educate and entertain you.

Watch this video of Ben Uri's Chief Executive, David Glasser, talking about the history and purpose of Ben Uri today (approximately eight minutes).

How you can access the Ben Uri Collection

We enable broad and straightforward physical and visual access to the Ben Uri Collection through location, publication, Internet and outreach work. We do this by offering:

• The Ben Uri Collection through exhibitions, research, and a programme of conservation and acquisition.
• Temporary exhibitions, for instance by curating, touring and hosting important internationally-focused exhibitions of the widest artistic appeal that, given the museum's focus on artists of Jewish descent, would not be seen anywhere else in the UK.
• A range of existing publications about our artists, plus the ongoing commissioning of academic research on our artists and their work.
• Our Library and Archive, a resource dating from the turn of the 20th century which documents and traces the artistic and social development of Ben Uri's artists.
• Education programmes for schools and the wider community such as our 'Art as Therapy’ programme for the elderly.
• Supporting and nurturing artists, for example through our monthly artist peer group programmes and our International Jewish Artists of the Year Awards competition.
• This new website, which will give access to online learning tools, news on events and exhibitions, plus access to a gallery showing the work of a selection of our artists. We plan to extend the current online gallery so it offers the whole collection of nearly 1300 works.

Permanent exhibition space needed

To continue our objectives and fulfill the museum’s potential, Ben Uri desperately needs to relocate to the heart of central London. We are currently seeking a permanent museum and exhibition space that will be both an international centre of scholarship and an exciting hub of activity for our local communities. Can you help? Support us now.

Ben Uri is grateful for the support of: