University of Pretoria Museums

The University of Pretoria (UP) Museums manage, conserve and curate a diversity of museum collections and associated archives that are held at various university locations. Key museum collections are displayed in two historical buildings, the Old Arts Building (1910) and the Old Merensky Building (1937) on the Hatfield campus. This university museum collections are iconic since they are unique and valuable comprising an extensive South African art collection, ceramics from southern Africa and around the world, South African works of sculpture, including the world-renowned and nationally declared archaeological Mapungubwe Collection.

To honour the UP Museums centenary (1922-2022), the past decade has focused on wider public engagement, new digital initiatives and access to these heritage collections beyond academia and for society to engage with, enjoy and appreciate. The museums continue to support the academic, training, research and teaching drives within the institution. We strive to improve, expand and contemporise the university museums as part of our greater social responsibility as we have a direct impact on the community and influence the wider arts, culture and creative sector.

The Museums are proud to have several high-quality permanent gallery spaces dedicated to the permanent gallery spaces dedicated to the Mapungubwe Collection, the Ceramics Collection, and the Sculpture Collection. New, long-term plans are underway to develop and enhance more galleries devoted specifically to the museum art collection. Our museums are also beyond walls and a recent sculpture art route is now accessible on the Hatfield campus. New additions include the formal Mapungubwe Archive, the UP Museum Archive, and a dedicated Art Conservation space within the Old Arts Building.

https://www.up.ac.za/museums-collections