Curious? Come in
Culture in creation
The Schwarzman Centre is a stage set for boundless creativity. Under one remarkable roof, academia and culture are breaking a new kind of common ground – bringing seven humanities faculties and research institutes together with world-class libraries, collections, exhibitions, cinema, music, theatre, and performance. Based at the University of Oxford, open to all.
One building, no limits
Here, academia’s hallowed halls take new form. Seminar rooms and lecture theatres meet a 500-seat concert hall, 250-seat theatre, cinema, black-box performance lab, white-box exhibition space, and recital hall – all in the name of new thinking and expression. Our ambitious programme invites outstanding artists, writers, and thinkers to share their vision with the public, informed by humanities research.
A certified world first
Aligned with the University of Oxford's net zero carbon emissions and biodiversity net gain, the Centre follows principles of Passivhaus – the design standard for buildings with ultra energy efficiency. Our highly insulated, all-electric venue with solar roof panelling and biodiverse landscaping is set to become the UK’s largest Passivhaus scheme, and the world’s first Passivhaus concert hall.
Built by sustainability
Sustainable practice built the Centre, from vehicles powered by vegetable oil to the British stone, brick, and steel that will stand tall for years to come.
Crafted by locals
And when you take your seat at the Centre’s performance venues, it’ll be on a chair crafted locally in Bourton-on-the-Water.
Only questions bring answers
Our world’s biggest challenges are human challenges – humanities hold the answers. The Schwarzman Centre is a meeting place for the talent and ideas of our time, and a testing ground for global action. Here, people from all disciplines are questioning how humans can transform our world to inspire collective change.
Cultural programme
Building operations
Commercial
