Whitechapel Gallery

Who we are

Whitechapel Gallery was founded in 1901 to present “the finest art of the world for the people of the East End, London”. Over one hundred and twenty years later, Whitechapel Gallery is renewing its founding mission under the directorship of Gilane Tawadros, recognising its radical and pioneering role as an art gallery in the heart of London’s East End and our global, diverse communities. Successive waves of migrants have shaped the distinctive character of the Whitechapel Gallery and its surrounding area. Generations of artists and makers have lived and worked in the area contributing to its creative vibrancy. We are proud to be a contemporary visual arts organisation that is locally embedded and globally connected.

We are hugely proud of our history and believe we have a continuing, and important responsibility to expand on our legacy and remit, ensuring our programme reflects the times we live in, speaks to, and with, diverse artists and audiences and enables an even greater range of voices, cultures and visions to rise to the fore. Above all, we recognise the critical role that art can play in firing up imaginations, reflecting lived experiences and opening up new possibilities for thinking, feeling and dreaming.

Whitechapel Gallery is a non-profit educational charity funded by Arts Council England and supported by trusts and foundations, individuals and organisations whose investments enable us to achieve our ambitions.

Our culture and values

Public: We are a public, cultural, social and civic space that is open and accessible to everyone. We take our responsibility as a public art institution seriously, believing that we have an accountability and duty of care towards all our stakeholders. We want our building to be a haven for anyone interested and curious about contemporary art.

Permeable: We are a place of reciprocal exchange and connection; an open, permeable institution that spills beyond its walls and learns with and through our many communities. Bold: We are proud to work with artists and ideas that address the key issues and concerns of our times. We take risks in programming under-represented and under-served artists, focusing on the work of women artists and artists of colour, championing their contribution to contemporary art and society.

Collaborative: We believe that collaboration and collective endeavour fosters creativity, expands capability and increases productivity, and we actively seek equitable partnerships that create opportunities for artists, contributors and audiences to shape what we do.

Caring: We promote and support a culture of care, respect, trust and accountability, and are dedicated to safeguarding the long-term future and sustainability of Whitechapel Gallery, artistically, environmentally and economically.

Caring: We promote and support a culture of care, respect, trust and accountability, and are dedicated to safeguarding the long-term future and sustainability of Whitechapel Gallery, artistically, environmentally and economically.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

We want our workforce to represent all sections of the community and expect all our workers to firmly commit to working with the Gallery to create an equal, diverse and inclusive workplace. Our ambition is to reflect society and to create a diverse, inclusive and welcoming environment for all to experience art.