[3] Designed by Irish practice O'Donnell + Tuomey architects and Arup Consulting Engineers,[4] the architecture of the museum has been awarded several respected prizes, including a UK Civic Trust award, an RIBA award, as well as inclusion on the final shortlist for the 2005 Stirling Prize.

[8] University College Cork is substantially located on a single campus adjoining Cork city centre and the museum building occupies an accessible site close to the main entrance of the campus.

[9] The museum has three floors of display spaces and the temporary exhibitions programme focuses on thematic shows which have included Through the Looking Glass: Childhood in Contemporary Photography,[10] Cooling Out: on the paradox of feminism[11] and Overtake: the reinterpretation of modern art.

[12] The museum is named for its benefactor, Wall Street financier and chairman of Lehman Brothers, Kuhn, Loeb Inc., Lewis Glucksman.

The inaugural director, Fiona Kearney, is a fellow of the Clore Leadership Programme and an alumnus of the Salzburg Global Seminar.