Management
The O3 Gallery was founded as a unique partnership between Oxford Castle Ltd, and OVADA (Oxfordshire’s Visual Arts Development Agency) and was opened by Her Majesty The Queen in May 2006. Named ‘O3’ (the third ‘O’ after Oxford Castle and OVADA) the gallery is believed to be the first of its kind – the first partnership between a public agency and private developer, to create a gallery that will generate opportunities and funding for the visual arts in Oxfordshire. Oxford Castle Ltd, and OVADA (Oxfordshire’s Visual Arts Development Agency) and was opened by Her Majesty The Queen in May 2006.
Building
Housed in an old stone circular building, the O3 Gallery forms part of the old Oxford Prison C-Wing. Unlike the familiar ‘white-cube’ the O3 Gallery still displays interesting original features of the prison including blocked-up fireplaces and windows. Prior to use as a gallery, the building formed a carpenter’s workshop and further back in history – a day room for the prisoners.
Named ‘O3’ (the third ‘O’ after Oxford Castle and OVADA) the gallery is believed to be the first of its kind – the first partnership between a public agency and private developer, to create a gallery that will generate opportunities and funding for the visual arts in Oxfordshire. Although the O3 gallery is no longer run by OVADA, the two galleries continue to have strong links and share similar ambitions for local artists.