Frequently Asked Questions

OPENING TIMES 9:30 – 17:00

Open to public:
Wednesday – Saturday
(except public holidays)

Pre-booked groups only:
Monday – Tuesday

Bethlem Gallery welcomes volunteers to help with invigilation, workshops, exhibition preparation and promotion. If you are interested in giving your time you can email info@bethlemgallery.com with an expression of interest and a short CV. Successful applications will be required to enrol with South London and Maudsley Volunteers. You can volunteer if you are over 18. We ask all volunteers to commit to doing at least three hours a week for nine months so we can create long-lasting and meaningful volunteering roles. You’ll need to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, Occupational Health questionnaire, attend training and supply two references before you can start volunteering with us as most of the roles will involve contact with vulnerable adults.

The Bethlem Gallery primarily exhibits work by artists who have had contact with South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust’s services. One exhibition a year is dedicated to work outside of this remit that has relevance to mental health, the hospital site or our historic collection.

Please note that we have an average waiting list of 3 years for solo exhibitions. We do, however, have plenty of group exhibition opportunities, both on-site and off-site, to get involved in and we can also promote the work of our artists via our website.

To apply for an exhibition please send an expression of interest or a proposal of no more than one side of A4 including an image of your work to info@bethlemgallery.com. If you do not have access to on-line/digital resources please call the gallery on 020 32 284 101 to book a meeting with a member of staff.

We believe that the arts can significantly contribute to people’s wellbeing, mental health and recovery. For more information on research that has been done in the field please visit London Arts in Health Forum: http://www.lahf.org.uk/resources

The Bethlem Gallery exhibits a wide range of artists and artistic practices, and this term is not relevant to the majority of our artists. We have a selection of artworks within the Bethlem Museum of the Mind, and some contemporary artists, whose work has been identified within this genre. For more information on Outsider Arts please visit www.rawvision.com

‘Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of expression and communication. Within this context, art is not used as diagnostic tool but as a medium to address emotional issues which may be confusing and distressing’ – British Association of Art Therapists.

It is rare that the output of Art Therapy is exhibited as, more often than not, it is a highly personal process. The majority of the work that is exhibited in the Bethlem Gallery is produced within Occupational Therapy settings, or in people’s homes and studios, and is rooted in an individual’s art practice.

For more information on Art Therapy visit: www.baat.org