The National Gallery in London is preparing for a major transformation after securing a record-breaking £375 million in donations to fund a brand-new wing.
The gallery, one of the most visited attractions in the UK, said the fundraising total includes the two largest publicly reported single cash gifts ever made to a museum or gallery anywhere in the world. With the money in place, it has now launched an international competition to find an architect to design the new space.
The new wing will be built on the last remaining undeveloped part of the gallery’s site, with the aim of breathing new life into the area between Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square. The vision is to create a fresh, vibrant experience for millions of visitors.
Two of the biggest donations—£150m each—come from Crankstart, the charitable foundation set up by Sir Michael Moritz and Harriet Heyman, and the Julia Rausing Trust.
Sir Hans Rausing, who established the trust in memory of his late wife, said: "My beloved wife Julia was a passionate supporter of the National Gallery and its role in making great art accessible to all. She would have wholeheartedly embraced the vision and ambition behind this project, recognising its potential to transform the understanding and appreciation of art, and to reinforce the gallery's role on the world stage. This gift is given in her memory, so that others may discover the same beauty and inspiration in art that meant so much to her."
An additional £75m has been pledged by the National Gallery Trust, the gallery’s chairman of trustees John Booth, and other private donors who have chosen to remain anonymous.
The expansion project also marks the start of a new partnership between the National Gallery, Tate, and other museums across the UK and internationally, aiming to widen access to art and cultural exchange.
Founded in 1824, the National Gallery is home to masterpieces by Van Gogh, Monet, Raphael, Rembrandt, and many more. It remains free to enter, attracting millions each year. Photo by Yorick Petey (Yorick), Wikimedia commons.