The Vision

Since opening Tate Modern in 2000, the programme of exhibitions, displays and events has expanded in size and range in response to public demand and changes in art practice, and it continues to develop. Our Collection displays are more international in scope than ever, and we now run successful programmes of film and performance by leading artists. We have also made very significant acquisitions which, with more and larger-scale space, we could accommodate and display on a more regular basis.

The range and size of works has also grown as the Collection has expanded to embrace photography, time-based media and increasingly complex contemporary installations. These works need a wider range of spaces than previously available to be shown to best effect – both more intimate and larger scale; raw and refined.

Visitors’ expectations and the way we engage with audiences are changing and there is increasing demand for a wider range of interpretation materials and learning programmes from visitors of all ages.

The current space available limits our ability to take this programme to the next level, which entails:

• showing the fullest range of works from the Collection in a more dedicated way
• commissioning the most radical performance pieces
• providing the learning spaces required by our audiences
• wholly integrating learning throughout the building
• improving visitor facilities and social spaces.

Tate Modern 2 has been specifically designed to address these programming needs to enable us to make better use of Tate Modern as a whole after 2012.

A wider variety of spaces

By providing a wide variety of raw and refined spaces throughout Tate Modern 2 – both large and small, with a variety of ceiling heights, and galleries of a less traditional shape – we will have a much wider range of spaces in which to realise the full potential of the public programme.

There will be dedicated space for the display of photography and works on paper. There will also be more flexible exhibition areas, which can open up into large, column-free spaces, ideally suited to the display of large-scale sculpture.

Developing our performance and time-based media programmes

We will realise the untapped potential of the Power Station’s redundant oil tanks: a unique environment for artist performances in the round as well as the display of films and multi-media works from the Collection. We are looking to develop a programme for these spaces in partnership with others across the cultural sector. These spaces will also house seminars and talks from the developing learning programme.

Integrating learning

The concept of learning in the museum and the demand for information have changed dramatically in recent times. Life-long learning and participation in formal and informal adult learning have increased. There is also huge demand for more direct participation and involvement in the processes of making and displaying art and visitors want to share and discuss their experiences.

People are more eager than before to acquire knowledge and there is more interest in co-learning, personalised learning and demand for public spaces in which to learn and gather knowledge. Unlike other museums 60% of Tate Modern’s audience is under 35; many young people first visit as part of a school trip. Tate Modern 2 will provide a range of new spaces to respond to their needs.