History & Archive
Southbank Centre History
Southbank Centre was built in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain and the concert halls were originally funded and managed by the London County Council and their successors, the Greater London Council. The Centre became an independent arts organisation in April 1988 after two years operating as a constituent part of the Arts Council.
The Hayward was built in 1968 and was funded and managed by the Arts Council of Great Britain until April 1987 when its administration moved to Southbank Centre.
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Southbank Centre Archive
Southbank Centre Archive aims to collect, manage and preserve and make available, as far as possible, any information, documents or artefacts relating to events and exhibitions held in the performing arts spaces of the Southbank Centre - including outdoors and the foyers as well as all concert halls - since the Royal Festival Hall was opened in 1951.
During the Royal Festival Hall redevelopment most of the Archival collections will be in storage, although the Archivist will be available for advice and enquires, and donations of material. Most help will have to be of an advisory nature until the collections return to the Hall.
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Hayward Library and Archive
The Hayward Library, a reference library reflecting the research needs of the exhibition curators, acquires contemporary material on artists, exhibitions, architecture, photography and critical theory (art). The emphasis is on modern and contemporary art (British and international). There is a small quantity of historic material. The library is able to offer public access as a last resource reference library for consultation by appointment only.
Love the Festival Hall
Southbank Centre has launched a nationwide call for memories of the Royal Festival Hall, with the support of Age Exchange and BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Do you have a memorable moment or special story of the Royal Festival Hall? Why not share it and be part of our archive of memories, which will launch when we open our doors again in the summer of 2007. Share your story and be part of a living archive – a people’s history - a celebration of over 50 years of priceless memories and unforgettable moments.
Visit lovethefestivalhall.org.uk to learn more about the project and entrust your memory to the archive.
The Story of Southbank Centre
Read more about the history of Southbank Centre in Charlotte Mullins' new book A Festival on the River: The Story of Southbank Centre. This fascinating and informative book charts the extraordinary history of Southbank Centre, from the South Bank's agricultural past, through the 1951 Festival of Britain, to the present day. (Read an extract from the book at the bottom of this page.)
Available from both Southbank Centre Shop - Festival Terrace and Southbank Centre Shop - The Hayward
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