Lisa Nandy vows to move national art collection ‘into communities’
-
Loading... - Brady Lytton
- 09 Oct 2024
- 47 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
Lisa Nandy, the UK Culture Secretary, has announced plans to make the national art collection more accessible by moving pieces "out of the basement and into communities." Speaking at the Robson Orr TenTen award announcement, Nandy emphasized the potential of the 15,000-piece collection to inspire new artists across the UK. The initiative aims to showcase the collection beyond its current display in government buildings, including British embassies and 10 Downing Street.
The Robson Orr TenTen award, now in its seventh year, commissions a British artist to create a work for display in UK government buildings worldwide. This year's recipient, Denzil Forrester, created "Altar," a painting celebrating Cornish nightlife, which will be sold as prints to fund the acquisition of art from under-represented artists for the government collection.
Nandy's proposal aligns with a recent Fabian Society report suggesting that national art collections be shared with non-traditional venues like GP surgeries, hospitals, and libraries to increase public access. Nandy has been vocal about the need for equal access to the arts, highlighting the underrepresentation of working-class individuals in creative industries.
The announcement comes amid broader discussions about the art displayed in government spaces. Recently, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans to feature artworks by or of women in No 11 Downing Street, and Keir Starmer reportedly removed a portrait of Margaret Thatcher from No 10.
Nandy's initiative reflects a commitment to showcasing the UK's artistic talent and addressing regional disparities in cultural opportunities. However, details on how the collection will be shared with communities are yet to be clarified.
