The National Gallery, one of the world’s finest art collections, is announcing its largest transformation since its formation 200 years ago.
Codenamed Project Domani, the plans have already attracted £375m of cash pledges, including the two largest ever publicly reported single cash donations to a museum or gallery globally.
As part of this development, the London-based gallery is launching an international architectural competition for a brand-new wing to house an expanded collection.
This funding will also support the gallery’s move to extend its historic collection and marks the beginning of a new collaboration with Tate and other museums in the UK and globally.
The National Gallery states it will broaden its engagement with local, national and international visitors through enhanced displays, exhibitions, research, public programmes and educational initiatives.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said:
“This landmark investment is fantastic news for the National Gallery and the arts in general. It boosts the economy, opens doors for educational experiences for young people and will make great art accessible for generations to come.
As set out in our Civil Society Covenant, this government values the role of philanthropists and institutions like the National Gallery in creating a better, fairer future for all.”
A new wing
An architectural competition is the third stage of an ambitious masterplan commissioned by the Gallery in 2018.
The National Gallery has shared ambitions for a new space that not only preserves and displays the artwork but also elevates the visitor experience, enhancing the Gallery’s status as one of the most visited museums in the world. An architectural competition is the third stage of an ambitious masterplan commissioned by the Gallery in 2018.
The Gallery’s new wing will be built on the site of the last remaining part of the National Gallery’s current campus: St Vincent House. The property was acquired nearly 30 years ago, for the purpose of expanding gallery space and currently houses a hotel and office complex.
Project Domani will also revitalise the area between Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square, creating a vibrant, fresh experience for visitors. The new wing will benefit from the dramatic advances made in building techniques and sustainability during recent decades. It will be a landmark of both local and international significance, enriching the nation’s artistic presence on a global scale.
National Gallery director Sir Gabriele Finaldi says:
“With the Bicentenary celebrations now completed, the National Gallery looks to the future. We want to be the place where the UK public and visitors from across the globe can enjoy the finest painting collection in the world from medieval times to our own, in a superb architectural setting.
“We are hugely excited by these developments and are immensely grateful to our donors for their support – on an unprecedented scale – as the National Gallery steps into its third century. We look forward to an ever-closer collaboration with Tate on this significant new initiative.”
Collection development
The National Gallery holds one of the world’s finest collections of paintings in the Western European tradition, starting in the early 13th century. Having just celebrated its 200th anniversary in the capital, it is looking to evolve and extend the story it tells.
To achieve this, it is seeking to broaden and extend the range of our collection, displays and exhibitions. This development has offered an opportunity to collaborate with colleagues at Tate as joint custodians of the national collection. The Trustees of the National Gallery and Tate recently held a joint meeting to develop new ways of working together more closely.
While both institutions will continue to tell their stories in distinct and complementary ways, a new, historic partnership is underway that sees the National Gallery and Tate working together to build and further develop the UK’s world-leading national collection for the benefit of everyone.
Maria Balshaw, Director of Tate, said: “Tate congratulates the National Gallery on the announcement of this transformational gift.
“As the UK’s national collection of British art from 1500 and international art from 1900, Tate looks forward to working closely with colleagues at the National Gallery on loans, curatorial and conservational expertise to support the development of their new displays.
“The Trustees of both institutions recently held a joint meeting and, together, established a Working Group with Trustee and Curatorial representatives from each to determine the ways in which we can collaborate to further the national collection as a whole.”
Key supporters
An unprecedented £375 million has been pledged to date. This comprises of £150 million is coming from Crankstart, the charitable foundation of Sir Michael Moritz KBE and his wife, Harriet Heyman, as well as £150 million from the Julia Rausing Trust.
Sir Hans Rausing, Founder Trustee, said:
‘My beloved wife Julia was a passionate supporter of the National Gallery and its role in making great art accessible to all. She would have wholeheartedly embraced the vision and ambition behind this project, recognising its potential to transform the understanding and appreciation of art, and to reinforce the Gallery’s role on the world stage. This gift is given in her memory, so that others may discover the same beauty and inspiration in art that meant so much to her.’
A further £75 million is coming from the National Gallery Trust, National Gallery Chairman of Trustees John Booth, plus other donors who wish to remain anonymous.
National Gallery Chairman of Trustees John Booth, said:
‘We are humbled by the generosity and vision of Crankstart, the Julia Rausing Trust and all the other donors who are supporting the National Gallery at this pivotal moment in its history. Their investment will inspire, educate and thrill generations to come, enriching the cultural landscape of our nation.”
Photo credits: © National Gallery, London
