About Drawing Room

Located in southeast London, our not-for-profit organisation features a gallery presenting inspiring free exhibitions of drawings, by artists of international standing and emerging promise. We have a unique open access research library, holding one of the largest collections of titles on contemporary drawing in the world, and a shop stocking selected books, drawing materials and artists’ editions. Our dynamic learning programme makes contemporary drawing relevant and accessible to our communities, encouraging self-expression through hands on making, in our dedicated Community Studio and throughout our local area. Our exhibitions, research and learning activities, together with talks, artist-led projects, special commissions and other events, nurture artistic talent through supporting the production of new work and share the diversity of drawing with an ever-widening audience. Together, this makes Drawing Room the UK & European centre for the exploration, appreciation and expression of drawing.

Drawing Room was founded by curators Mary Doyle, Kate Macfarlane and Katharine Stout in 2002 and is a non-profit public organisation that champions the unlimited potential of drawing to help us understand ourselves, each other and our world, through exhibitions, learning projects and a unique library. As 90% of our income is self-generated, Drawing Room relies on the support of individuals, organisations and trusts, alongside the funding it receives from Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation. We are indebted to our Drawing Circle and Drawing Room Network Members and to the many artists who donate drawings to our Biennial Fundraising exhibitions. Drawing Room is a division of Tannery Arts, which provides studio space, support and resources for artists, together forming Tannery Arts Ltd, a unique creative partnership.