Good news for all the art lovers up north! The Tate Liverpool has secured funding that’ll allow it to complete its major £29.7 million refurbishment.
The Albert Docks gallery shut its doors in 2023 so that it could go ahead with the renovations and was originally meant have its grand reopening this year. However that was pushed back to 2027 due to difficulties raising enough funds – back in February, the gallery was still around £10 million short of its fundraising goal.
But this week Liverpool Tate was given a £12 million boost from the government’s Public Bodies Infrastructure Fund. It has also enjoyed a lift from philanthropic organisations Garfield Weston Foundation and The Ross Warburton Charitable Trust.
That cash will help the gallery in completing the final stage of its transformation, which ‘[reimagines] the gallery for the twenty-first century’. The makeover includes a new public art hall on the ground floor, the opening up of the building’s facade to increase its visibility and the installing of infrastructure that’ll help end its dependence on fossil fuels.
Tate also said the new design (by architects 6a) ‘will sensitively reveal more of the former Victorian warehouse through features such as the new open plan ground floor and uncovering windows’.
Helen Legg, the gallery’s director, said: ‘We’re grateful to the government for this investment and for their vote of confidence as we realise this once-in-a-generation renewal of Tate Liverpool. I am also thankful for the support of the trusts, foundations and private donors whose investment will ensure we serve the needs of artists and audiences, now and into the future.
‘The bold transformation of Tate Liverpool will be invaluable to the region’s visitor economy, a catalyst for the next era of waterfront redevelopment, and an opportunity for our communities to enjoy world-class art and culture in the heart of Liverpool.’
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy added: ‘Liverpool is one of the great cities of the world and the transformation of Tate Liverpool will mean this amazing cultural venue can continue to flourish for future generations.
‘I'm delighted our Public Bodies Infrastructure Fund is supporting this redevelopment, which will strengthen Liverpool's economy and encourage even more people to visit this incredible city that has culture at its heart.’
While the work has been going on, Tate Liverpool has lived at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) North, just 425 metres from the main gallery. Over the next three months, it’s taking part in Liverpool’s huge art biennial, which you can read all about here.
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