The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Perth museum revamp could secure Tate Britain link-up
Items from Tate’s collection could be loaned to Perth and vice versa
A £10 million revamp of one of Scotland’s oldest museums could secure a landmark collaboration with Tate Britain, the UK’s arts minister has revealed.
Work is scheduled to begin on a radical redevelopment of Perth Museum and Art Gallery.
The renovations, likely to begin late next year, are part of a £30m shake-up of the area’s cultural attractions, which included a new look for long-vacant Perth City Hall.
Now newly installed arts minister John Glen has announced that the revived George Street museum could lead to a partnership with the famous Tate network of galleries.
The Courier understands that negotiations have been ongoing between the local authority and Tate bosses for more than a year. Any agreement could see items from the Tate collection loaned to Perth, and vice versa.
Mr Glen spoke of hopes for a team-up during a House of Commons debate on Perth’s cultural contribution to the UK.
Praising the city’s many attractions including Perth Concert Hall and St Ninian’s Cathedral, he said: “I want to highlight the contribution of Perth Museum and Art Gallery.
“It has in the past hosted the joint Tate and National Galleries of Scotland project, Artist Rooms.
“The £10m investment in the gallery offers an exciting opportunity to partner with Tate Britain, focusing on the gallery’s outstanding collection.”
Helen Smout, chief executive of Culture Perth & Kinross, welcomed Mr Glen’s comments and confirmed that negotiations were ongoing behind the scenes. She said: “Our ongoing ambition and vision, regardless of the outcome of the City of Culture bid, is to bring the best of local, national and international culture to Perth and Kinross.
“In order to achieve this we’ve been in conversation with several cultural organisations and institutions across the UK.”