Underpinning all our work is a desire to increase public access to works in the Collection. These needs have led us, in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery, to develop a scheme for a new National Art Collections Centre (NACC) alongside Tate's existing Store in Southwark.
The new NACC, designed by Grimshaw Architects following a competition, will transform the Store into an international centre for research, skills development and conservation. As well as purpose-built facilities for conservation, the Centre will provide training and education programmes, streamline collection management into one site, and function as a public space for community groups and schools in the local area.
The building, which has outline planning permission, will increase access to the Collection and promote greater understanding of collection care. We will develop long-term relationships with local schools and groups in the neighbouring area, and hope that we can contribute to the community to the south of Southwark in the way that Tate Modern has in north Southwark.
While unable to fund the Centre, the Heritage Lottery Fund was highly complimentary of the project, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport made a financial commitment to the project this year. We are currently investigating fundraising options.
