Turner Contemporary will be closed for a £2 million project of major building works from Monday, September 7 until the end of January 2021.
The work will include maintenance and upgrades with the creation of an 86 space, fee charged car park to bring income into the gallery, a finishing kitchen – to cater for events and conferences- and shop upgrades, install LED lighting to reduce running costs, carry out a broadband upgrade and introduce AV equipment .
There will also be automatic front and gallery doors to improve access, and increased and upgraded toilets, new signs, a CCTV upgrade and external storage.
Kent County Council is funding £1.5million of the work with a £495,000 contribution from Arts Council England..
The works come after almost 10 years of operation, in which Turner Contemporary has attracted 3.5million visits.
A Turner Contemporary spokesperson said: “These works will enable the gallery to build on its success, increase its financial resilience and provide a better experience for the thousands of visitors that Turner Contemporary welcomes each year.
“In the context of significant financial challenges for small-scale arts charities, the works will include; increased environmental sustainability, enhanced digital infrastructure, improved facilities for visitors as well as plans that maximise opportunities to generate vital income.
“The reach of Turner Contemporary has always extended beyond the building. There will be significant artworks in place by this point, which have been commissioned by Turner Contemporary in partnership with other leading cultural organisations. These include Conrad Shawcross’s work as part of Pioneering Places in Ramsgate and Michael Rakowitz’s work as part of England’s Creative Coast in Margate, along with 6 other new commissions stretching along the South East Coast.
“Anthony Gormley’s Another Time, is also scheduled to remain in Margate until November 2020. Our commission of Tracey Emin’s ‘I never stopped loving you’ neon which features on Droit House will remain in place. These projects are designed to expand and strengthen the visitor offer further.
“We are working with KCC to minimise the disruption to the organisation, our audiences and the wider area. The capital works are designed to pave the way towards long term sustainability and enable the organisation to thrive so that it can continue to drive economic and social benefit for the town.”
Next year, 2021, marks the gallery’s 10th anniversary year and an ambitious programme of celebrations is planned.
