Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre officially opens today in Oxford
The centre connects all Oxford University's humanities departments under one roof
Oxford University’s new arts and humanities centre will officially open its doors from today to both students and the public, aiming to boost tourism and bridge the gap between town and gown.
For the first time in the University’s history, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre brings together all its humanities departments under one roof, including the new institute for Ethics in AI.
The building itself also has a number of new spaces which will be open for both public and University events, including a 500-seater Sohmen Concert Hall, a 250-seat theatre, a black box space for immersive performances, a dance studio, cinema and exhibition space.
Professor Dan Grimley, Head of Humanities at Oxford University, said he hoped the centre could help make the city an “even more vibrant and richer” tourism destination.
He said: “Don’t just come for the day and wander around our pretty buildings – come and see an exhibition, come and see a concert, come and have those life changing experiences.
“Spend the night here if you’re not from Oxfordshire and really immerse yourself in that cultural offer.
“Then I think people will have a much more rewarding experience being here, and that’s absolutely what makes Oxford a global city.”
Professor Grimley also stressed that the centre could help make arts and humanities, as well as the University itself, more accessible to the public.
He added: “I went to a state comprehensive school, and I feel really passionately about access to arts, culture, languages and history.
“I worry that there’s been so much pressure on those subjects in the school curriculum that the version of me going through school now might not have that same opportunity, and that feels wrong to me.
“If there’s a way in which we can use this space to accelerate that access, I think that would be a really important part of our mission as a University.”
A programme of events will begin in April 2026, including a 360-degree immersive audio experience with Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós, performances from American street dance star Lil Buck.
A series of conversations about AI, creativity and music chaired by journalist and broadcaster Samira Ahmed is also set to be on the programme of events.
The centre is already working with local schools and organisations who may want to use the facilities, and is exploring opportunities for apprenticeships and internships.
Musicians in Oxford have previously said they hoped the centre would help boost the city’s music scene after a number of popular venues closed.
Professor Grimley said: “I hope we can offer a suite of spaces that supports a diverse range of music, whether its south Asian or jazz or folk, through to contemporary and classical.
“In and of itself that’s not enough – what I want us to be able to do is help advocate for live music again, because what we really want to see the richest range of venues across the city.
“If by supporting artists and creating opportunities to get involved, we can help reinvigorate that community, that’s really important.
“I think there’s a national sense in which the public rightly want to see the social benefits of what universities can offer.
“It’s also about making the case for the humanities.
“It will take time, but I think we can really do it and seize the opportunity.”
The development was made possible by a £185 million donation from Stephen Scwarzman, co-founder of Blackstone.
The building is open to the public from 9am until 9pm every day, without the need to sign in or make a booking.