Transforming the Ashmolean

With a breathtaking new building, and a fresh approach to how our collections are displayed, the Ashmolean is leading the way in meeting the challenges of the next 300 years.

At its opening in 1683, the Ashmolean was the world’s first ever public museum, a beacon of learning for a newly scientific age. Over the centuries, as an integral part of the University of Oxford, it has remained at the forefront of modern thinking on how museums can best foster learning, while giving enjoyment and inspiration to the widest possible audience.

The current priorities are:

The transformational redevelopment that saw the Ashmolean reopened to great critical acclaim in November 2009 with 39 new galleries, a new Education Centre and state-of-the-art conservation facilities. The Museum has successfully raised over 75% of the total cost of this redevelopment but we need your help to achieve our target.
The redevelopment of the Egypt galleries which is key to the completion of the new Ashmolean, unifying the Museum’s Ancient World holdings, and finally realising the full potential of these world-class collections. Following the success of the first phase of the Museum’s transformation, Rick Mather has produced an impressive design that will see a completely new interpretation and display of the Ashmolean’s Egyptian collections. Due to be completed in late 2011, this project has received lead support from Lord Sainsbury’s Linbury Trust but we need further support to complete the transformation.

There are a range of opportunities for benefactors wishing to get involved. We need your support to make the vision a reality.

to the 'Transforming the Ashmolean' Campaign