Newsletter sign up

UK / East / Norfolk

Sainsbury Centre

Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia, Norfolk Road Norwich, NR4 7TJ

The Sainsbury Centre is a world-class art museum with a unique perspective on how art can foster cultural dialogue and exchange.

Following a radical relaunch in 2023 the Sainsbury Centre is the first museum in the world to formally recognise the living lifeforce of art, enabling people to build relationships across an arts landscape.

The art of the Sainsbury Centre is able to help reframe and answer the most important questions people have in their lives. It is not a museum to only learn more about artists, cultures or movements like Francis Bacon, the Tang Dynasty or Modernism, it is a place of experience, where collections are animate, and visitors are emotionally connected.

One of the first museums in the world to display art from all around the globe and from all time periods equally and collectively, Sir Robert and Lady Lisa Sainsbury created one of the most sought after yet nonconformist art collections. In 1973 they donated their collection, which transcended traditional barriers between art, architecture, archaeology and anthropology, to the UEA, and created an entirely new type of museum.

Housed in Sir Norman Foster’s revolutionary first ever public building, the space aimed for an interactive relationship between people, object and landscape, where art was placed within an open yet intimate ‘living area’.

Visit Website

Opening Times

Tuesday - Friday

9.00 - 18.00

(exhibitions open 9.30am)

Saturday - Sunday

10.00 - 17.00

Closed Mondays, including bank holidays

Prices

Our Universal Ticket grants access to the permanent collection, lower and mezzanine galleries, and Sculpture Park.

 

Tickets operate on a ‘Pay If and What You Can’ basis, so you can choose the price from free through to full membership.

 

Upon arrival, please go to gallery reception where our universal ticket is available.

Facilities

Café

Car Parking

Picnic Site

Baby Changing

Disabled Access

Toilets

Events

18th May - 20th Oct

‘The Camera Never Lies – Challenging images through The Incite Project’: What Is Truth? season at The Sainsbury Centre

Re-evaluating some of the most iconic images of the past 100 years will be an exhibition dedicated to the impact and influence photography has had on shaping – and in some cases misdirecting – the narrative of major global events.

View event
14th Sep - 2nd Feb

Power Plants: Intoxicants, Stimulants and Narcotics at Sainsbury Centre

From peyote to tobacco, for millennia people have used the psychoactive properties of plants as an integral part of social, ceremonial and religious life.

View event
14th Sep - 2nd Feb

Ayahuasca & Art of the Amazon at Sainsbury Centre

This exhibition considers the impact of the mind-altering, psychotropic vine – ayahuasca – within Western Amazonian social life.

View event
30th Oct - 1st Feb

Ivan Morison: Towards the Weird Heart of Things at Sainsbury Centre

Artist Ivan Morison creates a new site-specific series of sculptures which will sit in the Sainsbury Centre Sculpture Park as part of the ‘Why Do We Take Drugs?’ season.

View event
23rd Nov - 27th Apr

Heroin Falls at Sainsbury Centre

‘Heroin Falls’ highlights the realities of heroin addiction through the juxtaposition of two different worlds through the eyes of two incredible photographers.

View event
23rd Nov - 27th Apr

Lindsey Mendick: Hot Mess at Sainsbury Centre

Lindsey Mendick subverts the tradition of ceramics with her darkly comic, confessional works.

View event

Other things to do nearby

30th Oct - 1st Feb

Ivan Morison: Towards the Weird Heart of Things at Sainsbury Centre

Artist Ivan Morison creates a new site-specific series of sculptures which will sit in the Sainsbury Centre Sculpture Park as part of the ‘Why Do We Take Drugs?’ season.

View event
23rd Nov - 27th Apr

Lindsey Mendick: Hot Mess at Sainsbury Centre

Lindsey Mendick subverts the tradition of ceramics with her darkly comic, confessional works.

View event
23rd Nov - 27th Apr

Heroin Falls at Sainsbury Centre

‘Heroin Falls’ highlights the realities of heroin addiction through the juxtaposition of two different worlds through the eyes of two incredible photographers.

View event
14th Sep - 2nd Feb

Ayahuasca & Art of the Amazon at Sainsbury Centre

This exhibition considers the impact of the mind-altering, psychotropic vine – ayahuasca – within Western Amazonian social life.

View event
14th Sep - 2nd Feb

Power Plants: Intoxicants, Stimulants and Narcotics at Sainsbury Centre

From peyote to tobacco, for millennia people have used the psychoactive properties of plants as an integral part of social, ceremonial and religious life.

View event
30th Nov - 23rd Dec

A Sparkly Light & Panto Trail at BeWILDerwood Norfolk

We are thrilled to announce the return of our award-winning Christmas event with our NEW for 2024 Father Christmas Meet & Greet.

View event

Searles Sea Tours

Searles Sea Tours run unique and exciting seal safaris and coastal trips, two famous amphibious vessels, the Wash Monsters.

View attraction

Willow Tree Delicatessen

Willow Tree Delicatessen, located within the award winning Wroxham Barns Shopping Village, reflects the owners advocacy and passion for the region, celebrating the absolute best of Norfolk and East Anglia.

View attraction

Latest News

Top 5 places in the UK to birdwatch

The UK is home to some fantastically colourful, elusive and rare species. To celebrate their numerous species, we have put together a list of top 5 places in the UK to birdwatch.