COVENTRY’S Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, which is hosting the Turner Prize 2021, has been awarded £600,000 to deliver an ‘ambitious’ UK City of Culture programme.
Culture Coventry Trust, which manages the city art gallery, has secured a £500,000 grant from Arts Council England and an additional £100,000 from Coventry City Council.
The funding will enable the Herbert to stage several world-class, blockbuster exhibitions over the next two-years, as well developing its online digital and analogue programme.
Francis Nielsen, Culture and Creative Director of Culture Coventry Trust said “We are delighted to have been awarded this funding to enable us to utilise the opportunity of UK City of Culture 2021 to create a lasting legacy for visual arts in the city.
“Coventry is a youthful and diverse city which has been instrumental in the creation of some of the greatest innovators and creators in the world. It is the people of Coventry who make it so special and that is why we want to work with them to shape a nationally significant visual arts programme which addresses global themes in a truly Coventry way.”
Coventry UK City of Culture Trust is committed to providing support to enable the delivery of the Turner Prize 2021 – one of the best-known prizes for contemporary visual arts in the world – at the Herbert from September to January 2022.
Peter Knott, Area Director, Arts Council England said: “We are delighted to be able to award this £500,000 of funding to Culture Coventry Trust allowing them to make the most of Coventry’s year in the spotlight.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, Coventry has this chance to really ‘wow’ audiences. We are excited to see world class visual art coming to the Herbert, showcasing international as well as local talent. This award is a significant step in the Herbert’s development and will establish an exciting legacy for creatives and audiences in Coventry and beyond.”
Coun David Welsh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said: “The grant will be a boost to the Herbert and help us build something lasting for the people of our city.
“Coventry will be centre stage as UK City of Culture, where we belong, and despite the challenges of Covid I’m really looking forward to enjoying a celebration that our city deserves.”
