Frequently Asked Questions
General information about art and artists
Tate can help answer queries about works in the Collection but we are not in a position to give general information about art and artists.
How do I contact an artist in the Tate Collection?
Tate cannot give out contact details for artists in the Tate collection or who are exhibiting at Tate. Artists can be contacted via their representing commercial gallery.
How do I get my work of art authenticated and valued?
Tate is unable to authenticate or value works of art owned by private individuals. For advice regarding the identification of works of art, contact a reputable art dealer or auction house.
I would like to exhibit my work at Tate. How do I submit an exhibition proposal?
Temporary exhibitions at all Tate galleries range from major retrospectives, historic and group shows, to commissions for specific display spaces such as the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern and the Duveen galleries at Tate Britain. Whilst Tate Modern focuses on producing exhibitions of international modern and contemporary art, the programme at Tate Britain concentrates on British art from 1500 to the present. Tate Liverpool shows both British and international modern and contemporary art from 1900 to the present, as well as displays from the Tate Collection. Tate St Ives focuses on showing works of art in the surroundings and atmosphere in which they were created.
Tate’s exhibition programmes are planned three years or more in advance, and most exhibitions are the result of proposals generated by our in-house curatorial teams or collaborations with other institutions. The majority of exhibitions and commissions arise from direct invitations to artists and curators. Therefore we can only rarely accommodate unsolicited projects.
If you would like to send an exhibition proposal or examples of your work this should be directed to:
- Tate Modern proposals.modern@tate.org.uk
- Tate Britain proposals.britain@tate.org.uk
- Tate Liverpool proposals.liverpool@tate.org.uk
- Tate St Ives proposals.stives@tate.org.uk
Submissions will be reviewed by staff in the respective curatorial teams, but please note the following:
- We only accept submissions by email.
- You should include a letter introducing your work/project to us, and a CV where appropriate.
- If you are proposing an exhibition, please tell us your ideal timescale for realising the project.
- Owing to the large volume of proposals received, Tate will only be able to respond to those proposals which would be appropriate for our programmes.
- Tate will endeavour to respond to those proposals of suitability within two to three months. We are grateful for your patience while we consider them.
- If you are seeking your first exhibition in the UK, you may find it more helpful to contact some smaller galleries in the first instance.
- We are not a commercial gallery, and therefore cannot represent artists or sell works on their behalf.
- Due to the pressures on Tate curators’ time, we are unable to provide specific feedback.
- There is no need for you to send additional materials to the offices of the Director of Tate Modern, Director of Tate Britain, or Director of Tate.
How do I propose a work of art for acquisition by Tate?
Before proposing a work for Acquisition, please familiarise yourself with Tate's Collection and Tate's Acquisition and Disposal Policy [PDF, 75KB] Acquisition proposals, along with colour images, full details of the work/s and any other relevant information, should be submitted to:
International art from 1900 to present
acquisitions.modern@tate.org.uk
Administrator (International Art), Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
British art from 1500 to present
acquisitions.britain@tate.org.uk
Administrator (Collections and British Art) Tate, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
Submissions will be reviewed by staff in the respective curatorial teams, but please note the following:
- Due to the large volume of proposals received, Tate will only be able to respond to those proposals which are viewed as priorities.
- Tate will endeavour to respond to those proposals of suitability within 2 months. We are grateful for your patience while we consider them.
- Due to the pressures on Tate curators’ time, we are unable to provide specific feedback.
- If you would like us to return you images after consideration, please include a stamped addressed envelope.
- There is no need for you to send additional materials to the offices of the Director of Tate Modern, Director of Tate Britain, or Director of Tate.
How can I find an exhibition space?
The magazine Artist’s Newsletter is essential reading for anyone trying to set up or apply for an exhibition. This is available monthly from most art bookshops or by subscription. The magazine features articles on all aspects of art and art practices across the UK but its most useful sections are ‘Opportunities’ and ‘Small Ads’. These sections list useful contacts for commissions, awards, open submission exhibitions, residencies, studios, materials, courses, equipment and more. The magazine is also available online by subscription.
Artist’s Newsletter Publications also produce some of the most practical advice books available to artists, which can be obtained by mail order or from some retail outlets (ICA bookshop, Photographers’ Gallery and the Whitechapel Gallery, for example). Some useful titles include: Directory of Exhibition Spaces, Investigating Galleries and Organising Your Exhibition.
How do I apply to a commercial gallery?
When choosing a gallery to approach it is vital to check whether or not they show a similar type or medium of work as your own. The books listed above should help with this information.
There is also a monthly free magazine called Galleries (available from most London galleries including Tate), which has an index identifying the types of art shown by each gallery. Also useful is the free monthly guide to exhibitions at UK galleries called New Exhibitions of Contemporary Art, available from galleries and museums.
A gallery should first be approached by letter including:
- An up-to-date education and exhibition CV
- Up to 10 slides/photographs of recent work clearly labelled with your name, dimensions and medium of the work. Also remember to mark which way up they should be viewed, even if it seems obvious
- A covering letter including an artist’s statement
- An SAE for return of your materials
Hiring a gallery
If you prefer to set up your own show, a number of galleries do offer their spaces for rent. In recent years there have also emerged a number of alternative spaces for those who wish to show their work outside the formal context of the gallery. Details on these spaces can be found in the publications listed above.
May I use the Tate logo?
Tate does not allow use of the Tate logo on personal or commercial websites without prior consent.