A New Era For The National Gallery With £375M Transformation And New Wing

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, The National Gallery’s £375M Project Domani will transform its campus with a new wing, revitalized public spaces, and expanded collections, ensuring world-class art is accessible to all while strengthening its global cultural impact.

The National Gallery

The National Gallery, renowned for housing one of the world’s pre-eminent collections of Western European paintings, is undertaking its most significant transformation since its founding in 1824. With an unprecedented £375 million in pledged donations, including two of the largest single cash contributions ever publicly reported to a museum or gallery globally, the institution is set to redefine its role in the global cultural landscape. This ambitious project, named Project Domani, marks the Gallery’s bold vision as it enters its third century.

Project Domani: A New Wing and Architectural Competition

Central to Project Domani is the development of a new wing to accommodate an expanded collection. To realize this vision, the National Gallery is launching an international architectural competition on September 10, inviting both long-established and emerging architectural firms to design a state-of-the-art space. The new wing will be built on the site of St Vincent House, a property acquired nearly 30 years ago for the purpose of expanding gallery space, currently occupied by a hotel and office complex. This competition represents the third stage of a masterplan commissioned by the Gallery in 2018, aimed at enhancing its campus and visitor experience.

Revitalizing Public Spaces

Project Domani extends beyond the new wing, aiming to transform the public areas between Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square into a vibrant, welcoming space for visitors. The development will leverage advancements in building techniques and sustainability, creating a landmark that enhances the nation’s artistic presence on both local and global stages. The new wing will not only preserve and display the Gallery’s world-class collection but also elevate the visitor experience, reinforcing its status as one of the most visited museums in the world.

Broadening Access and Engagement

Since its inception, the National Gallery has been committed to making great art accessible to all. Project Domani reaffirms this mission by expanding engagement with local, national, and international audiences through enhanced displays, exhibitions, research, public programs, and educational initiatives. The initiative will ensure the Gallery remains a dynamic cultural hub, offering diverse opportunities for visitors to connect with art in meaningful ways.

A Historic Partnership with Tate

The project marks the beginning of a groundbreaking collaboration with Tate and other museums in the UK and beyond. A recent joint meeting between the Trustees of the National Gallery and Tate established a Working Group with representatives from both institutions to explore new ways of working together. This partnership will focus on shared loans, curatorial expertise, and conservation efforts to further develop the UK’s National Collection, ensuring it remains a world-leading resource for the public. While both institutions will maintain their distinct narratives, this collaboration will enrich the national collection as a whole.

Evolving the National Collection

The National Gallery’s collection, spanning from the early 13th century to the early 20th century, includes masterpieces by artists such as Artemisia Gentileschi, Bellini, Cezanne, Leonardo, Monet, Raphael, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh. Project Domani will enable the Gallery to continue developing its collection, reflecting the continuum of Western painting’s response to myth, religion, history, contemporary events, and the human form. This expansion will position the National Gallery as the premier destination for experiencing the history of Western painting in a comprehensive and dynamic way, set against a timeless architectural backdrop.

Unprecedented Philanthropic Support

The £375 million in funding includes £150 million from Crankstart, a family foundation dedicated to education, civil rights, housing security, and arts access, and £150 million from the Julia Rausing Trust, established in memory of the late philanthropist Julia Rausing, who was a passionate advocate for the Gallery’s mission to make great art accessible. An additional £75 million comes from the National Gallery Trust, its Chairman John Booth, and other anonymous donors. The Julia Rausing Trust, one of the UK’s largest charitable trusts with annual giving of approximately £100 million, continues Julia Rausing’s legacy of supporting health, welfare, and arts initiatives across the UK.

A Cultural Legacy for Generations

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy highlighted the role of philanthropy in ensuring the arts are accessible to all, emphasizing that the new wing will open up world-class art to millions of visitors from the UK and abroad. The project is expected to cement the National Gallery’s position as one of the world’s most cherished cultural institutions, inspiring and educating generations to come while enhancing the UK’s cultural landscape in a competitive global environment.

About The National Gallery

Founded by Parliament in 1824, the National Gallery houses a collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the late 13th to the early 20th century, featuring works by artists such as Degas, Renoir, Rubens, Titian, Turner, and Velázquez. With free admission and a commitment to public access, the Gallery’s key objectives are to care for and enhance its collection while providing the best possible experience for visitors. Project Domani represents a bold step forward, ensuring the Gallery’s relevance and impact for centuries to come.

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