Tate Archive

Illuminated Address to Sir Henry Tate on his 80th birthday, 11th March 1899. TGA 7510.153
© Tate, London 2003

Tate Archive comprises the Archive of British Art since 1900 and the Gallery's own institutional records.

The Archive of British Art since 1900 acquires, catalogues, displays and makes accessible for research an unparalleled collection of unpublished and semi published documentation about fine artists in all media, as well as other art-world figures, including commercial galleries and dealers, critics, societies and institutions. The collection includes manuscripts, correspondence, diaries, notebooks, sketchbooks and other artworks, photographs, presscuttings, some printed ephemera and posters, film and sound recordings, and administrative records. It very selectively collects material relating to earlier British art and twentieth century foreign artists when they relate closely to Tate's collection.

In addition to acquired collections, the Archive also houses supporting material in three artificial collections comprising c.100,000 photographs, over 2,000 posters and over 3,000 audio-visual accessions.

Tate's records of its own activities are covered by the Public Records Act and Tate has delegated responsibility for their management. They document the Gallery's exciting history across the wide range of its activities since 1897, including acquisitions, exhibitions, strategic development and expansion across all its current sites.

Access

For information on how to access the Archive Collection, please see the Reading Rooms.

Loans

Displays of archive material are on show periodically in the Tate galleries and material can be lent to approved venues for display elsewhere. If you would like to request a loan from the Archive please write to Caroline Collier, Director, Tate National, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG, giving at least six months' notice.

Donors

The Tate Archive welcomes gifts, bequests and long-term loans from artists and their families, art institutions and societies.

Donors may stipulate that all or part of an archive should be restricted for a period of years. Offers of material or information about potential archives should be addressed to The Archivist, Tate Archive, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG.