The galleries

The south-east quadrant galleries have been fully refurbished as a part of this project. All their environmental services have been renewed so that the full range of Tate’s collection, from works on paper, to sculpture and paintings, can be displayed here. Natural lighting is once again the predominant form of illumination, using an innovative system of passive controls, and the interior architecture of the galleries has been restored.

Two smaller galleries from different stages in the building’s development have been combined to create Gallery 37. This is a new kind of space, a ‘slip gallery’, bridging the South Duveen and the south-east quadrant galleries. In due course each of the four major quadrants of galleries will have an associated slip gallery to facilitate visitor flow.

Occupying a space at the centre of Tate Britain, within the foundation of the oldest part of the building’s structure, the Archive Gallery tells the story of Tate and its collection by drawing on the vast and engaging resources of its archive. A series of exhibitions organised by archivists, curators and artists will occupy the main spaces of the Archive Gallery, while a more permanent installation about the history of Tate Britain’s building fills the circular space of the central room.

The enegy and carbon savings elements of these projects have been supported in part by the European Regional Development Fund (via the London Energy Efficiency Fund).