Jewish Museum in Camden to close and fundraise for improved venue

The scheme will involve selling off the Grade II listed town house and its modern annexe in Albert Street, with proceeds going towards a new venue offering a more "modern, engaging, and inspiring visitor experience."

Trustees say "unanticipated rising costs" have created financial challenges and they can no longer stage major exhibitions such as Jews, Money Myth, Seeing Auschwitz, or 2013's Amy Winehouse, A Family Portrait.

The Judaica gallery at Jewish Museum London (Image: Benedict Johnson Photography)

The current building is too small to meet demand for their award-winning education work, and the exhibition space is insufficient for their future ambitions.

Nick Viner, Chair of Jewish Museum London, said: "As we approach our centenary, Jewish Museum London is at a crossroads. We have an extraordinary opportunity to re-envisage the museum for the future. We are deeply grateful for the commitment and generosity of countless people who have made the site at Albert Street a home to ground-breaking exhibitions and our award-winning education programme.

"Our decision to sell the current building is not taken lightly, but as trustees it’s our responsibility to consider the longer-term sustainability of the museum."

The museum's education programmes reach thousands of students every year (Image: Jewish Museum London)

The treasure trove of Jewish historical and religious artefacts has been housed in Camden Town since 1994, with a major extension completed in 2010.

Once the building is sold, the collection, which includes items from the Jewish Military Museum, United Synagogue, and Jewish Historical Society of England, will move into specialised storage so the team can continue to work on projects.

They will also continue their learning programme, which reaches around 20,000 students a year, and tackles prejudice and antisemitism while celebrating Jewish life, faith and culture.

They are working with Camden Council on the transition plan including proposals for temporary exhibition and education spaces while they fundraise for the new venue.

Past exhibitions at the Jewish Museum include 2013's Amy Winehouse A Family Portrait

The museum is an amalgamation of two ventures; The Jewish Museum founded in Bloomsbury in 1932 by Professor Cecil Roth, Alfred Rubens and Wilfred Samuel, and The London Museum of Jewish Life, set up to preserve the disappearing heritage of London’s East End.

It has £224,000 annual Arts Council England funding and is working with ACE on their future plans, alongside the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Tonya Nelson, London Area Director, Arts Council England said they were aware of the museum's challenges and were working closely to support them as they addressed their financial resilience and explored options for the future: "We know how important Jewish Museum London’s collection is to the museums sector and the British Jewish Community. We want to ensure that the nationally outstanding collection is preserved and accessible for generations to come and continue to work closely with the museum to make sure this happens."

Camden Council leader Georgia Gould said: "Jewish Museum London is a nationally important institution with its roots in Camden. At a time of rising antisemitism its significance cannot be overstated. The museum’s work in education, exhibitions, dialogue and as a definitive archive of Jewish life makes an extraordinary contribution to London and beyond. We are excited to support its continuing development as the museum approaches its centenary."