A NEW REALITY TODAY FOR TOMORROW'S DIGITAL WORLD:
A FULLY COMPREHENSIVE VIRTUAL MUSEUM
This transformative digital re-invention of how Ben Uri can best be financially sustainable and simultaneously expand their distinctive public benefit engagement was conceived two years ago.
This new, expansive, perfectly located, widely-encompassing, virtual museum has incurred no costs to buy, build or refurbish; no business rates; no utility costs; no security and staffing costs and it can be extended at will, with no planning permissions required and no rebuilding costs. It is open 24/7 every day of the year whenever is most convenient for you to visit; there are no social distancing or health risks; no entry fees and no travel costs. We are as accessible to London Ontario, London Arizona, London Island, Chile, as we are to London England.
Post three months of lock-down, in response to the 2020 Covid 19 pandemic, the adoption of digital engagement has accelerated at an unprecedented pace across society and the cultural sector. Whilst the vast majority of institutions revert to their core physical-based operating models, Ben Uri will continue to invest in the digital arena and to engage through 20 different digital platforms, all of which lead back to this new virtual museum.
All our programming initiatives and ingredients stem from the imaginative use of our distinctive and growing museum collection which uniquely represents the Jewish and immigrant contribution to British visual art since 1900.
Ben Uri was founded in 1915 in Whitechapel in the Jewish East End of London and this new concept virtual museum represents our future - our second century of engagement. From here we will fulfil our charity objects and generate valuable relationships with you, through innovative sharing of our scholarship and research projects, collections, archives, 3D exhibitions, virtual catalogues, films, podcasts, schools and family learning, and our important, pioneering arts and health institute.
We invite you to explore this virtual museum regularly, as it constantly evolves, with new research, exhibitions, films and much more being regularly added, so you can share in the many unexpected and quality experiences.
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Redefined gallery in London's St John's Wood
Following the success of the repurposing of the St John's Wood, London gallery in 2019, when we launched full public access to the extensive Ben Uri library and century of archives, the Board agreed in 2020 to further extend the library and archive research facilities across all of the lower floor. This is designed to reinforce the academic focus of the institution, led by the Ben Uri Research Unit, charged with research and digital recording of the Jewish and Immigrant contribution to British visual culture since 1900.
