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 Gallery 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. Read more

Southbank Centre Archive

The Royal Festival Hall Archive aims to collect, manage and preserve information, documents and artefacts relating to events and exhibitions held in the performing arts and public spaces of Southbank Centre. This includes the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and outdoor spaces around the Southbank Centre site.

Currently the Archive is largely stored off-site. Southbank Centre is embarking on a strategic development plan for the Archive’s future organisation and access. If you would like to know more, or let us know your interest in the archive, please email Natalie Highwood, General Manager, Learning and Participation on natalie.highwood@southbankcentre.co.uk. During this period we are closed to general enquiries. Read more

Hayward Gallery Library and Archive

The Hayward Gallery's 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. Read more

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

The book is available to buy from both Southbank Centre Shop - Festival Terrace and Southbank Centre Shop - The Hayward Gallery