PR.2127
04/03/09
The reputation of The Hepworth Wakefield is continuing to grow after it was officially admitted into a prestigious Tate Gallery programme.
Becoming part of the Tate Connects Programme is a major milestone in the development of this world-class gallery, set next to the River Calder on the edge of Wakefield city centre.
The new partnership with Tate means Wakefield will now have access to loans from the national collection of British, modern and contemporary art, which is a crucial part of what The Hepworth Wakefield has to offer.
Cllr Denise Jeffery, Wakefield Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, sport and culture, said: “This is wonderful news – what better way of showing people how important this world-class gallery will be than this partnership with one of the most well recognised galleries in the world.
“To put it simply, this is a powerful and influential endorsement of what Wakefield is achieving with this landmark project.”
Noelle Goldman-Jacob, head of Tate Connects at The Tate Gallery, said: “The Hepworth Wakefield was chosen for the aspirations and quality of its programmes, the links and synergies with the artist Barbara Hepworth and for its superb new building by the architect David Chipperfield.
“This partnership between Wakefield and Tate will be an important opportunity for a new relationship aimed at supporting the development and sustainability of this new venture. Through Tate Connects the people of Wakefield will have direct access to the national collection of British, modern and contemporary art from the 15th century through to the present day. Tate Connects partners will provide a peer network of museums and galleries through which new collaborations, loans exchange, peer learning, audience development programmes, participation and learning will take place.”
Simon Wallis, director of The Hepworth Wakefield, said: “I am delighted to be able to work closely with Tate Connects to further strengthen the ambition and quality of what we’ll offer our audiences in Wakefield and Yorkshire.
“It will be wonderful to have regular loans of world-class works of art by famous artists in this beautifully designed gallery. This prestigious partnership will further ensure that when we open, Wakefield will be firmly on the national cultural map from day one.”
