Refurbishment of the Art Gallery

ACE supports gallery repairs to keep the city’s nationally Designated art collection safe and accessible

Southampton City Art Gallery is entering into Phase 2 of its planned repair works to keep the city’s nationally Designated art collection safe and accessible. We are also reducing our running costs by improving the efficiency of the building. This work is possible thanks to £2.23m being awarded to the project by MEND, the Museum Estate and Development fund. This government funding through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is administered by the Arts Council England.

The current restoration works follow the successful completion of Phase 1 in November 2022 with the replacement of the Main Hall’s copper roof.

During the current stage of works the Gallery’s West Wing will be closed, although the Main Hall and East Wing remain open with an exhibition which shares and celebrates works from our world-class collection. From the Renaissance to the Present Day: Highlights from Southampton’s Collection includes some of the best examples of painting, drawing and sculpture from Southampton’s important collection, ranging from the earliest work, a 14-century altarpiece by Allegretto Nuzi, to contemporary art by Turner Prize winning artists. The exhibition includes works by J.M.W Turner, Pierre-August Renoir, L.S. Lowry, Walter Sickert, Helen Chadwick, Gillian Ayres and Fiona Rae.

Phase 2 of the refurbishment includes the replacement of the West Wing roof and the installation of a new mechanical plant to regulate the environment better.

We will be updating everyone on the progress of the works as we go but the Gallery will remain open to welcome visitors and schools while phase 2 is underway.

These works are supported by The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport MEND fund, which is administered by Art Council England.