Courtauld Institute to Launch Blavatnik Contemporary Galleries

The Courtauld Institute of Art, located within Somerset House, is set to significantly expand its offerings with the addition of two new gallery spaces. These galleries, named the Blavatnik Contemporary Galleries, will be situated on the top floor of Somerset House’s North Wing and are slated to open in 2029. The expansion is made possible by a substantial donation from the Blavatnik Family Foundation.

The primary focus of these new galleries will be contemporary art, providing a distinct venue for both visitors and students. They are envisioned to host special exhibitions, new commissions, and various events, thereby enriching the institute’s engagement with modern artistic practices. This development is part of a larger, ambitious new campus designed for art students, with architectural plans by Witherford Watson Mann in collaboration with Purcell and Lawson Ward Studio. The Courtauld itself has been undergoing significant modernization since 2018, including a closure between 2018 and 2021 for major works.

Founded in 1932 by Samuel Courtauld, the institute is renowned for its excellence in art history teaching, research, conservation, and curation, and houses significant works such as Édouard Manet’s *A Bar at the Folies-Bergère*. The benefits of the new contemporary galleries are highlighted by Elena Crippa, Senior Curator, who states they will be a “site of possibilities for artists to present exceptional artworks.” These spaces are expected to bridge past and present art and ideas, deeply engage students, and integrate living artists into the core of the Courtauld’s activities. No specific risks associated with this expansion were mentioned in the source text.

(Source: https://londonist.com/london/art-and-photography/courtauld-expansion-new-galleries-2029)