The Stephen Lawrence Gallery aims to promote diversity in the representation of visual cultures through mainly curated group exhibitions featuring the work of young contemporary visual practitioners from a wide range of disciplines, including artists, designers, and architects.

Conferences and seminars are organised in association with exhibitions at the gallery, which also hosts end of year student shows. In addition, the gallery has an outreach role within south-east London, and works in conjunction with the other museum and gallery spaces at Maritime Greenwich to offer a facility for visitors to this world heritage site.