Using the Archive

Material from the Archive can be consulted in the Foyle Reading Room by appointment only. Please make sure you read the Whitechapel Gallery Archive Regulations and COVID-19 Regulations before visiting us.

For more details on the collections housed at the Archive please refer to the Archive Holdings.

The Foyle Reading Room

The Foyle Reading Room is the Whitechapel Gallery’s dedicated space for research.

It is open to all members of the public. Located on the first floor next to the Pat Matthews Gallery (Gallery 4), the Foyle Reading Room offers public access the Whitechapel Gallery Archive and Library Collection.

The Library Collection, partly displayed in the Reading Room, holds a growing selection of publications relating to artists who have exhibited at the Gallery over the years.

The Foyle Reading Room also houses all past Whitechapel Gallery exhibition catalogues and publications including the Documents of Contemporary Art anthology series (published by Whitechapel Gallery and MIT Press). Items are for reference only.

Facilities and Services

Computers are available to use for consulting the Archive collections and other online material. The facilities allow researchers to bring laptop computers and use free WIFI connection.

Viewing facilities for audio-visual materials are available.

Photographs are not allowed but photocopies of archive material may be obtained for research use only, depending on copyright restrictions and condition. Scans may also be requested, cost dependent on intended use.

Reproductions and Permissions

Researchers must obtain advance permission in writing before they can reproduce any of our archival material. A copyright permission letter will be provided depending on the intended use for the material and a corresponding fee might be charged. We do not supply images or copy of materials in advance until an agreement has been signed and all payments have been cleared. Please email us here for reproductions and permissions enquiries.