National Art Collections Centre
Tate proposes to build a state-of-the-art national collections centre alongside its existing store in Southwark, in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery.
The National Art Collections Centre (NACC) will provide purpose-built conservation studios, research, training and community facilities. It will lead the way in conservation, research and scholarship and provide greater public and professional access to the national Collection.
A new six-storey building will be developed adjacent to Tate’s current Collection Store in Southwark. This new building will provide approximately 8,000 square metres space in addition to the existing 9,500 squared metres already on site.
The new centre will host:
- purpose-built conservation studios for paper, frames, paintings, sculpture and time-based media
- conservation science and research facilities
- flexible learning, interpretation and meeting spaces for local schools, community groups and residents
- training facilities for hands-on learning and active participation
- public and community spaces to provide new community areas in Southwark
- an auditorium for public programmes: film screenings, talks, seminars and other presentations.
The Benefits
Improved conservation and care capacity, enabling:
- more works from the national Collections that are currently not being exhibited to be conserved and subsequently displayed for the benefit and enjoyment of the public;
- expansion of the current range of conservation activities, including innovative treatment enabling more works to be preserved for future generations.
- replenishing and equipping a more diverse workforce with the skills and knowledge required to conserve this heritage.
- Increased efficiency and level of care across the sector with widening accessibility to the collections of smaller public museums and galleries.
- greater public awareness and engagement with the wealth of national heritage available in the Tate and the National Portrait Gallery collections.
- local people in one of the most deprived areas of the UK will be able to use the centre’s facilities for community activities and learning, and as a gateway into the working world of museums and galleries.