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Libraries, museums and bookstores: Tate

Opening Hours

Tate Britain

Monday to Sunday 10.00–18.00

 

Tate Modern

Monday to Sunday 10.00–18.00

Where is it?

Tate Britain
Millbank
London SW1P 4RG

The closest stations are :

  • Pimlico
  • Vauxhall
  • Victoria
  • Westminster

Tate Modern
Bankside
London SE1 9TG

The closest stations are:

  • Southwark
  • Blackfriars
  • St Pauls
  • London Bridge

About Tate

Tate first opened its doors to the public in 1897. It was then a gallery displaying a small collection of British artworks. It takes its name from Henry Tate, an industrialist who offered his collection of British nineteenth-century art to the nation and provided funding, which helped to build and open the gallery. At the time, the gallery was called the National Gallery of British Art and was situated on Millbank, Pimlico. In 1932, the gallery adopted the name Tate Gallery and was renamed Tate Britain in March 2000. Today, the museum is responsible for the national collection of British art from 1500 to the present day. It has large holdings of the works of J. M. W. Turner, who bequeathed all his own collection to the nation.

In 2000, the Tate Modern was opened by the Queen. It's collection consists of works of international modern and contemporary art dating from 1900 until today. It is housed in Bankside Power Station, a decommissioned electricity generating station which generated electricity from 1891 to 1981. It was almost demolished several times but, in April 1994 the Tate Gallery announced it would be the home for the new Tate Modern. 

 

There are two other Tate Museums in England :

  • Tate Liverpool, as its name indicates, is situated in Liverpool. It is dedicated to showing modern art and encouraging a new, younger audience through an active education programme. It is housed in a warehouse at the Albert Dock and opened in 1988. 
  • Tate St Ives is situated in Cornwall. This gallery exhibits work by modern British artists with links to the St Ives area. It opened in 1993. 

Exhibitions

Zanele Muholi

6 June 2024 – 26 January 2025

Zanele Muholi is one of the most acclaimed photographers working today, and their work has been exhibited all over the world. With over 260 photographs, this exhibition presents the full breadth of their career to date. The exhibition is based on the artist’s 2020-21 exhibition at Tate Modern and will include new works produced since then.

Exhibition Page

Mike Kelley: Ghost and Spirit

Until 9 March 2025

Tate Modern

Drawing on references from popular and underground culture, literature, and philosophy, Kelley explores how the roles we play in society are entangled with historical fact and imaginary characters from the films and images we consume.

Exhibition Page

Electric Dreams: Art and Technology Before the Internet

28 November – 1 June 2025

One of Tate Modern’s most ambitious exhibitions to date, Electric Dreams offers visitors a rare chance to experience incredible works of vintage tech art in action – a look back at how artists imagined the visual language of the future. 

Exhibition Page

 

The 80s: Photographing Britain

21 November  – 5 May 2025

Explore one of the UK’s most critical decades, the 1980s. This exhibition traces the work of a diverse community of photographers, collectives and publications –creating radical responses to the turbulent Thatcher years. Set against the backdrop of race uprisings, the miner strikes, section 28, the AIDS pandemic and gentrification – be inspired by stories of protest and change.

Exhibition Page