Claudette Johnson: I Came to Dance (1 June - 8 September 2019) installation view at Modern Art Oxford. Photo: Ben Westoby
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Modern Art Oxford

4.4
·531 reviews·, United Kingdom

Cutting-edge contemporary art exhibitions in a well-designed, accessible gallery with free entry.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Fewer crowds, more space to explore

CrowdLow
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Claudette Johnson: I Came to Dance (1 June - 8 September 2019) installation view at Modern Art Oxford. Photo: Ben Westoby

Modern Art Oxford

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Fewer crowds, more space to explore

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Cutting-edge contemporary art exhibitions in a well-designed, accessible gallery with free entry.

4.4
(531 reviews)

"One of my favourite places to see contemporary art. The exhibitions are always very well curated and somehow surprising."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Free Admission!

Enjoy cutting-edge contemporary art without an entry fee. A great value for art enthusiasts!

📸 Check Exhibition Schedule

Exhibitions rotate; verify current shows online to maximize your visit.

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Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.4 · 531 reviews

Type

Art Gallery

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Belkis Ayón Exhibition

Belkis Ayón Exhibition

Upstairs Galleries

Fascinating retrospective of the Cuban artist's bold and brilliant works, a truly memorable experience.

InstagramReddit
Suzanne Treister: Prophetic Dreaming

Suzanne Treister: Prophetic Dreaming

Main Galleries

Astonishing show exploring cybernetics, tarot, and environmental art; a lot to digest and contemplate.

Instagram
Creative Space & Open Studio

Creative Space & Open Studio

Ground Floor

Interactive and creative space, perfect for sketching, relaxing, or engaging with family-friendly exhibits.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Free Entry, Big Impact

Modern Art Oxford offers free admission, making it an accessible gem for art lovers. Plan your visit around their rotating exhibitions, as they often feature surprising and socially engaged contemporary works that might not be on your radar yet. Reddit

Check Exhibition Dates

Exhibitions change frequently, so it's wise to check their website for current and upcoming shows before you go. This ensures you don't miss out on specific artists or themes that pique your interest, like the acclaimed Belkis Ayón exhibition. InstagramReddit

Best Times

When
Weekday afternoons
Why
Fewer crowds, more space to explore
Crowd
Low
When
During special artist talks
Why
Gain deeper insights into the art
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

i’m back😚 #dayinthelife #oxford #oxbridge #oxfordstudent #oxfordvlogs
@kitveezee
5.1K likes • 54.6K views

🎯 Free Admission!

Enjoy cutting-edge contemporary art without an entry fee. A great value for art enthusiasts! Reddit+1

📸 Check Exhibition Schedule

Exhibitions rotate; verify current shows online to maximize your visit. InstagramReddit

Blown away last night by artist’s talk & first glimpse of Suzanne Treister’s astonishing new show “Prophetic Dreaming” @modernartoxford - now on until April. So much to digest and contemplate; I will be returning! #suzannetreister #cybernetics #modernartoxford #femaleartists #tarot #environmentalart #lonesurvivor #propheticartist #propheticdreaming #futurescape #mindmaps #computergames #bestartsh...
sophie._.collier
17 likes • 442 views
Thank you Modern Art Oxford for joining us at DEPOT this year to present a selection of MAO’s Limited Editions by prominent artists including Emma Hart, Johanna Unzueta, Marina Abramovic, and Graham Sutherland, who have had major exhibitions at MAO. Next year is Modern Art Oxford’s 60th year and we’re looking forward to celebrating this exciting milestone here in Oxford. @modernartoxford Depot i...
depotoxford
29 likes • 653 views

☕ Relax in the Cafe

Grab a coffee and a bite after your art immersion. TikTok

🛍️ Explore the Museum Shop

Discover unique pieces from featured artists and local makers. Instagram

A truly stellar line up of judges for this year’s Photo Oxford Open Call - search ‘Picter Photo Oxford’ to enter. Competition closes 18th May. Winners will be exhibited at Modern Art Oxford in September plus other wonderful prizes.
alexschneideman
34 likes • 1K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Free Admission!

Enjoy cutting-edge contemporary art without an entry fee. A great value for art enthusiasts! Reddit+1

📸 Check Exhibition Schedule

Exhibitions rotate; verify current shows online to maximize your visit. InstagramReddit

☕ Relax in the Cafe

Grab a coffee and a bite after your art immersion. TikTok

🛍️ Explore the Museum Shop

Discover unique pieces from featured artists and local makers. Instagram

What Travellers Say

4.4
(531 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise Modern Art Oxford for its high-quality, surprising, and socially engaged contemporary art exhibitions, all offered with free admission. The well-designed space and interactive creative areas are also frequently highlighted as positive aspects. Some visitors note that the gallery is relatively small, but this is often outweighed by the impact of the curated shows.

"One of my favourite places to see contemporary art. The exhibitions are always very well curated and somehow surprising, presenting art that deserves more attention, it is on the way up, is well researched, and is socially engaged. I totally love it to bits ❤️"

Paula Terra-Arte

"Great display and interactive/creative space. Walk through the museum shop to ground floor exhibit showing works based on a group of muslim mothers and children from Oxford - Back to Oneness. Barbara Steveni exhibit on the 1st floor. Steveni helped set up an artists collective that got artists to go and work within commercial and public organisations.
Free entry.
Not very busy."

Arfar Choudhury

"Went for the Belkis Ayón show. By far, my most memorable experience in Oxford. Few things beat seeing great art for free :). The place also has an open studio to sit, sketch or just relax."

Keith Mathe

What People Like

Free admission
Well-curated exhibitions
Surprising contemporary art

What People Dislike

Can be small

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Modern Art Oxford is centrally located in the city. Many visitors arrive by foot from Oxford city centre. Oxford has a comprehensive bus network, and the nearest major bus stops are a short walk away. If arriving by train, it's a pleasant 15-20 minute walk from Oxford train station. TikTok

On-street parking is limited in the city centre. It's recommended to use one of Oxford's Park & Ride services or city centre car parks, such as the Westgate Car Park, which is a short walk from the gallery. TikTok

Yes, cycling is a popular way to get around Oxford. There are bike racks available in the city centre, though specific racks directly at the gallery may be limited. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, entry to Modern Art Oxford is completely free! This makes it an accessible and popular destination for experiencing contemporary art. Reddit+1

Opening hours can vary depending on the exhibition and day of the week. It's best to check the official Modern Art Oxford website for the most up-to-date information on their opening times before your visit. Instagram

As admission is free, booking tickets in advance is generally not required. However, for special events or talks, it's advisable to check if pre-booking is recommended or necessary. Reddit

Modern Art Oxford hosts a dynamic program of exhibitions featuring international modern and contemporary artists. Past highlights include the Belkis Ayón show and Suzanne Treister's 'Prophetic Dreaming'. Always check their website for current and upcoming exhibitions. InstagramReddit+1

🎫 compass Onsite Experience

Modern Art Oxford showcases cutting-edge exhibitions of international modern and contemporary visual art. They also feature a creative space, an open studio for sketching, and a museum shop. InstagramReddit

Yes, they often have interactive and creative spaces that are engaging for children. The 'Back to Oneness' exhibit featuring Muslim mothers and children was highlighted as a positive experience. Reddit

Photography policies can vary by exhibition. It's best to look for signage within the galleries or ask a member of staff if photography is permitted. Reddit

Yes, Modern Art Oxford has an upbeat cafe where visitors can enjoy refreshments. TikTok

The creative space is an area designed for hands-on engagement, often featuring interactive elements or activities related to the current exhibitions. It's a great spot for visitors of all ages to explore their creativity. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Photography rules can differ for each exhibition. Look for signs in the galleries or ask staff for guidance on whether you can capture images. Reddit

While photography might be restricted in exhibition spaces, the gallery's architecture and the museum shop often provide visually interesting backdrops. The 'creative space' can also be a fun spot for photos. Reddit

Modern Art Oxford has previously hosted photography-related events, such as the Photo Oxford Open Call, with winners exhibited at the gallery. Instagram

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