Tate

Tate is a network of four major art museums in the United Kingdom: Tate Britain, Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool, and Tate St Ives. It operates as a charitable trust and is supported by public funding, private donations, and revenue from temporary exhibitions. The name honors Henry Tate, a 19th‑century sugar magnate whose bequest funded the original gallery.

History: The Tate Gallery opened in London in 1897 following Tate’s gift. In 2000, Tate Britain became the home for British art, and the organisation adopted the broader Tate name as its network expanded. Tate Modern opened in 2000 in the Bankside Power Station. Tate Liverpool opened in 1988, and Tate St Ives began in 1993 as a regional venue for modern and contemporary art in Cornwall.

Collections and focus: Tate Britain presents British art from the 1500s to the present, including works by artists such as J. M. W. Turner and John Constable. Tate Modern houses international modern and contemporary art from the 20th and 21st centuries. Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives offer modern and contemporary art with regional and international contexts. The four venues collaborate on exhibitions, research, and education programs, and collectively contribute a substantial portion of the national art collection.

Public access: Entry to the permanent collections at Tate sites is generally free, while tickets are required for many special exhibitions. The Tate network runs education programs, publications, and digital initiatives to broaden access to art and facilitate public engagement with contemporary culture.