Tate's Priorities: Our Audiences
In 2008–09 more than 7.4 million people visited Tate's galleries, over a million took part in our learning programmes, and there were more than 1.5 million unique visitors to our website every month.
We animate and interpret the programme and Collection so that it appeals to people of all ages and from every walk of life, whether local residents or visitors from the far corners of the globe.
Learning
People have different interests and learn throughout their lives in different ways. Our priority is to embed learning across all our activities.
Tate's learning programmes, both in the galleries and online take the Collection and exhibitions as their point of inspiration, and offer a range of ways for people new to art, as well as seasoned visitors and art experts, to deepen their knowledge and understanding.
Visitor Experience
Whether our audiences are viewing the Collection or taking part in a special event, Tate works hard to make their visit as welcoming, enjoyable and comfortable as possible.
We've introduced new multimedia guides to enhance the gallery visit. Recognising the pressures of modern living, we have extended late night opening hours in all our galleries. Our cafes and restaurants continually update the range of healthy, seasonal and locally-sourced food on offer.
We also plan to roll out a volunteer scheme across our galleries to provide even more friendly and helpful points of contact for our visitors.
Beyond the Galleries
Tate’s work doesn’t stop at the gallery walls. Through our national activities, touring and lending, as well as a host of online and media activities, we reach an even wider audience, both within the UK and internationally.
Tate National
Tate Collection and expertise is a resource for the nation and through Tate National's programmes, we are committed to making sure everyone can benefit. With our four galleries, extensive loans programme, network of partnerships, and the ARTIST ROOMS collection and tours, Tate’s reach stretches right across the UK.
Tate International
Tate also has international impact and reach. Tate's international activities include the programme of loans and tours, as well as our research activities and other events where we collaborate with curators and colleagues around the world to exchange and develop ideas and expertise.
One such collaboration is the World Collection Programme, which brings together Tate, the British Museum, the V&A, the British Library, the Natural History Museum and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew to share knowledge and practice with museums in Asia and Africa.
Going forward we aim to deepen our level of international activities, including the scope of our touring collaborations, with a particular focus on areas outside North America and Western Europe, such as the Middle East, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America.
Tate Media
Digital media are an increasingly important channel for building engagement with local, national and international audiences. From exhibition microsites to social networking sites and film, Tate Media develops many different touchpoints, all of them aimed at encouraging dialogue with – and between – a wide range of audiences.