The Sainsbury Centre is by the river inside the University of East Anglia in the internationally renowned Norman Foster building.1977.
It was one of Fosters first building designs and I believe has many features like opening rooves etc. It uses advanced materials and construction techniques to combine open-plan galleries, offices for staff and faculty, teaching spaces, and café all under one roof.
Robert and Lisa Sainsbury were avid art collectors who had amassed a fortune from their supermarket chain. When they were looking for a university to donate their collection to, they wanted their collection to be kept, and displayed, in one location.
The new University of East Anglia campus at Norwich had space available
The Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection features work spanning 5,000 years of human creativity. Modern work by artists such as Henry Moore, John Davies, Alberto Giacometti and Francis Bacon sits alongside art from Africa, the Pacific, the Americas, Asia, Egypt, medieval Europe and the ancient Mediterranean. The Lisa Sainsbury Collection of Modern Pots includes work from Lucie Rie, Hans Coper and Rupert Spira.
A great Furniture collection too as well as changing exhibitions..
The Anderson Collection of Art Nouveau comprises jewellery, furniture, glassware and metalwork featuring the fluid organic lines and whiplash curves that characterised European styles in the last years of the 19th century. The collection includes pieces from Britain, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands along with work by renowned French makers Emile Gallé, Louis Majorelle and René Lalique. It is displayed once every three years
If you have never seen one then this is where to see The Little Dancer (1880-81) by Edgar Degas. Bronze and fabric (Height: 99.1 cm): Acquired: 1938 it was a cause of great comment especially when he put her in a glass dome similar to that of animals in a museum.
The Gallery Shop carries a range of (said to be) exclusive high-quality books, cards and gifts, inspired by world art and design.
The Gallery Cafe offers light lunches, coffee and cakes.
Admission to the permanent collection is free. There may be charges for special exhibitions. A really worthwhile place to visit. read more