The role of a modern university museum and gallery

SOAS is fortunate to have its own museum and gallery space, and Maria Rollo looks at this special environment in the context of teaching and learning.

SOAS Gallery

The SOAS Gallery supports the key functions of teaching, learning and research, based on the studies of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, through its own displays, temporary exhibition programmes, and associated events. Objects have been donated by academics, dignitaries, collectors, SOAS alumni, and the public to the SOAS Object and Artwork Collection, with key highlights currently on display in the Foyle Gallery. 

The Gallery also hosts an array of temporary exhibitions, working with renowned curators, collectors and academic staff to bring to life eclectic displays that encourage a much broader demographic to come through its doors.

In general, a museum is unable to survive with a limited-audience demographic, so it needs to get the balance right, targeting as much of a diverse audience as it possibly can. A museum needs to identify its key audience types and establish its role, not just in the local community, but in a much wider context.

Embroidery Traditions of Afghanistan

As an example, the SOAS Gallery's exhibition Embroidery Traditions of Afghanistan (10 July to 19 September 2026) saw an increase in visitors in the age group of fifty to eighty-five and older, with many citing it as their first visit to the Gallery. This demonstrates the accessibility of the Gallery’s ambitious exhibition programme and reach to new audiences, extending beyond the walls of academia. The Gallery is ensuring its continuing appeal in the wider community context. 

In-/Visible Spectrums: Contemporary Video Art from the Sinosphere

Our previous exhibition entitled In-/Visible Spectrums: Contemporary Video Art from the Sinosphere (16 April to 20 June 2026), which showcased contemporary video art by Chinese contemporary artists in an innovative display, was equally popular, but it appealed to a much younger demographic.

It shows that whatever your age you are just as likely to come to the Gallery to learn, be inspired, be challenged, and be open to new and innovative ways of display and – hopefully – show a keenness to discuss what is on display. Meeting the needs of its visitors, including those beyond the SOAS community, helps to develop the strategy for further exhibition projects at the Gallery.

Learning and teaching at the heart of the collection

The Gallery’s exhibitions and displays range from the traditional to the contemporary, showcasing examples of objects and stories from across the cultures of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Themes encompassing art and design, religion, gender identity, war and conflict have all been featured. We are keen to understand our audience and deliver a range of exhibitions that remove any barriers to visiting the Gallery.

Any object a museum acquires will fall into the category of teaching and learning, regardless of whether they are acquired by a university museum or any other museum. All objects have an educational value, whether through a hands-on approach or critical evaluation. The focus may be on research or display, but it still falls within the remit of learning. The process of evaluating an object is open to all; everyone’s contribution matters.

The key to using the collections of a university museum is how it is taught within the curriculum, engaging students through object-based learning, encouraging further academic research and from the ongoing research that museum staff have developed to aid the process of learning through interpretation and display. 

A number of visitors come to the Gallery for reflection, to be inspired, or just for some peace and quiet. 

However, many of our visitors want to learn something, and the Gallery provides a valuable public resource beyond the walls of SOAS, which enables those who are not familiar with the university to engage, learn and understand about the different cultures and traditions that SOAS champions.