Rivington Place, the first new-build public gallery to launch since 1968, will open to the public on Wednesday 3 October.

Designed by Tanzanian-born architect David Adjaye, the £8m building is dedicated to the continuous display of cultural diversity in art and photography.

The opening of the gallery is the brainchild of two organisations – the Institute of International Visual Arts (inIVA) and Autograph ABP – which for 20 years have sought to establish a permanent home to profile international issues and perspectives in contemporary art.

Shreela Ghosh, interim director, inIVA, said: "Rivington Place signals the end of one journey, the search for a sense of place for both organisations, and the beginning of new and exciting possibilities.

“Our work as agencies now has a window – an identifiable and tangible space where audiences of all kinds will be able to discover the international perspectives in the visual arts that we have championed for so long."

The 1,445 sq m building contains two project spaces capable of housing exhibitions, film screenings and talks; the Stuart Hall Library; an education space; a café; workspaces for local creative businesses and the offices of inIVA and Autograph ABP

The gallery’s opening exhibition, called London is the Place for Me, looks at migration through photography and moving image.

Rivington Place is supported by a £5.9m Arts Council England Lottery Capital 2 programme grant. Barclays, a Rivington Place founding corporate partner, contributed £1.1m toward the development.

Sarah Weir, executive director, Arts Council England, said, "The opening of Rivington Place this autumn will be a true celebration of the richness and diversity of the arts in England today.

“With innovation and internationalism at its heart, it is set to really make its mark on the cultural landscape. It will challenge perspectives, champion new visions and give artists and visitors different opportunities to explore what it means to live in a city as vibrant and diverse as 21st century London."