“I am delighted that Neil has agreed to give this inaugural Robert Sainsbury lecture. Neil’s crucial impact on the intellectual understanding and public appreciation of the arts, both nationally and internationally, has been a remarkable achievement of his Directorship of the British Museum. The launch of SIfA marks an important moment in the development of the University’s outstanding offering in the arts. It also underlines the enduring debt that we owe the Sainsbury family for allowing us to realise our vision for the study of art and the public dissemination of our work and collections” – Vice-Chancellor Professor Edward Acton, University of East Anglia.

Since his appointment as Director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor has been widely credited with a major enhancement of the Museum’s external position, particularly developing its regional and international activities. His recent Radio 4 series, A History of the World in 100 Objects, and the associated national project, including events featuring objects in the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts’ collections, have done a great deal to advance the understanding of world art and brought museum collections to a wide public. His previous roles include director of the National Gallery and editor of arts periodical The Burlington Magazine.

The Robert Sainsbury Lecture will be an annual highlight in the Sainsbury Institute for Art’s (SIfA’s) programme. The first lecture from Neil MacGregor will also formally mark the launch of SIfA, a new venture based at the Sainsbury Centre, chaired by John Mack. SIfA formally brings together the activities and expertise of the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, the School of World Art Studies and Museology, the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures and the Sainsbury Research Unit for the Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas. Together these organisations are unique in the range of perspectives they offer and are at the forefront of research, innovation in teaching and public engagement. The Institute will develop an integrated approach to art as a global phenomenon through a combination of disciplinary approaches, exhibitions and programming.