Tate Liverpool to temporarily move to Mann Island ahead of £29.7m transformation

Building on the achievements of the last 35 years, Tate Liverpool is preparing to temporarily close to embark on a bold capital project to renew the gallery.

The Tate Liverpool gallery will hold a celebratory weekend on 14 and 15 October before the landmark building on Royal Albert Dock closes its doors to undergo a major reimagining. The transformed gallery will reopen in 2025.

Although the building at the Royal Albert Dock will be closed for the transformation work from 16 October, Tate Liverpool will move into the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) North, Mann Island from 27 October 2023.

Established in 1988, Tate Liverpool helped create a blueprint for a wave of new galleries across the UK, redefining the role of the museum in the life of a city and leading an innovative cultural regeneration of Liverpool’s post-industrial waterfront. The gallery has attracted more than 20 million visitors since 1988 and is the most visited modern and contemporary art gallery outside London.

Tate Liverpool is now working with 6a architects to reimagine the gallery spaces to meet the scale and ambition of today’s most exciting artists and to welcome visitors into a brand-new museum environment for the 21st century. The designs show a new public ‘Art Hall’ and events space on the ground floor, opened up to admit sunlight and views across the historic dock.

New gallery spaces over three floors will showcase the incredible diversity of Tate’s collection and are interspersed with public riverside foyers. The opening up of the Gallery’s façade will increase its visibility on the waterfront and within the Royal Albert Dock creating an inviting destination with striking spaces for learning, play, and relaxation.

Helen Legg, Director, Tate Liverpool, said:

“After 35 years of success in Liverpool and 20 million visitors, the time is right to invest in the next phase of the gallery. We want to do even more for our visitors, our city, and for art by transforming this utterly unique gallery complex.

“Whilst we are embracing renewal, we are determined to retain and celebrate the world-class heritage of this remarkable 180-year building, whilst at the same time addressing today’s urgent demands for equality of access, energy-efficiency, and flexible spaces for future generations.”

Maria Balshaw, Director of Tate, said:

“Tate Liverpool opened in 1988 as a promise to the North to bring the best of Tate’s collection to new audiences. 35 years later there is an enormous amount to feel proud of, but as Liverpool continues to evolve, so must Tate. We are now investing in our building so Tate Liverpool can welcome the widest range of local, national and international visitors as part of a revitalised waterfront. Brilliant art and artists will be at the heart of a world class experience that is free for everyone to enjoy.”

Ahead of the closure there will be a weekend packed with free activities and final chance to see the national collection of art in the building in its current form. Throughout both days there will be different making activities for visitors to enjoy and have something to take away from the event, including placard-making inspired by Bob and Roberta Smith. Visitors will be able make their own mark in the gallery by joining artists Vanessa Scott and Andy Wolfden to contribute personal memories and hopes for the future on a communal mural.

Artist Torkwase Dyson will be in attendance to activate her sculptural installation Liquid A Place 2021 in an intimate collaborative performance with DJ Lynnée Denise. Through poetry, film and music the artists will explore the music of the African diaspora within the context of social justice. Acclaimed writer Lauren Elkin will be in discussion with Turner Prize-winning artist Lubaina Himid for a special talk and there will also be a specially commissioned, limited-edition artist made prints in the Tate Liverpool party bag.

Find more information on the Tate Liverpool website.

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