THE RBSA GALLERY

The RBSA Gallery has reopened after building refurbishment. An extensive programme of works took place between March and May and it reopened in early June while work continued to be completed externally and in the basement.

This is the first time the building has had any major refurbishment work since the gallery moved to its current location in 2000, although the organisation is no stranger to change.

Established in 1814 as The Society of Birmingham Artists, a sevenyear lease secured rooms adjoining the Stone House in Union Street. The first exhibition opened to the public on 12 September that year above the Fire Engine House in Union Passage. In 1821 the Union Street lease expired, and the organisation was without a permanent home for 8 years.

A temporary venue was secured in 1827 with an exhibition in the Panorama, a circular wooden building in New Street (built in 1804). Here, the tradition of holding an annual Autumn Exhibition was established and has continued to this day, with the exception of the wartime years of 1940 and 1941 and in 2020 due to the pandemic.

In 1828, the annual exhibition was held at a gallery in Temple Row, and in 1829, the RBSA opened a gallery in New Street. It remained in this location until 1912 when the remaining years of the lease were sold, and the building was demolished.

Two years later in 1914 (one hundred years after the inception of the society) a new, smaller gallery was constructed on the same site in New Street. It was here that the RBSA Gallery was to remain until 1999 when the freehold of the current site in Brook Street, Jewellery Quarter was purchased – it opened to the public on 12 April 2000. After over 20 years in this location, the building was in need of extensive refurbishment work. Urgent work was carried out to repair and replace the windows on all levels and new flooring, walls and lighting throughout the building offer a more contemporary feel.

A new, welcoming, glass front door improves access on the ground floor and the reconfiguration of the ground floor gallery and shop area has increased visitor figures from passing trade by creating clear sight lines into the space. Relocating the reception desk to face the front door enables front of house staff to immediately engage with visitors on entering the building.

Additionally, a new collection store for 3D work has been created in the basement to allow for further expansion of the permanent collection and a flexible education/meeting room space was added to the ground floor configuration. The construction of the wall for this space has also increased hanging capacity within the ground floor gallery.

The project has delivered vast improvements to the exterior and interior of the building and will future proof the organisation for years to come by minimising the need for future maintenance. The RBSA welcomes visitors old and new. Opening hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10.30am – 5pm. n By Sanna Moore, Director, RBSA Gallery