Courtauld to Open New Blavatnik Contemporary Art Galleries at Somerset House

The Courtauld announces two new contemporary art galleries and a reading room at Somerset House, funded by a £10m gift from the Blavatnik Family Foundation and scheduled to open in 2029.

Elena Crippa, the Courtauld’s senior curator of modern art, exhibitions and tasks, states: “The new galleries will certainly be a website of possibilities for musicians to existing outstanding art work. These new spaces will assist us link present and past art and ideas, involve pupils and bring living musicians to the core of our tasks.”

Leonard Blavatnik states: “My household and I have taken great pride in our organization with the Courtauld over the past decade. It has actually been a privilege to play a leading function in shaping the gallery’s future.”

Expanding Modern Art Horizons

The brand-new galleries will hold special exhibits, artist commissions and occasions, providing what the organization refers to as “a distinctive room for visitors and trainees to experience contemporary art”. Pupils on the Courtauld Institute’s MA program in curating will play a substantial duty in supplying the program.

A Historic Venue Reimagined

The new galleries will be situated on the leading flooring of the North Wing of Somerset Home, within the new Courtauld School– a space made in the 18th century as a display area for the Royal Culture. They will be accessible to site visitors via a specialized entry opposite the main gallery, offering full public access to the historical East Wing stairs.

According to Forbes, Leonard Blavatnik– the owner of his family members foundation– is worth $26.5 billion, making him the world’s 75th wealthiest individual. Since reopening in 2021 after a major improvement, created by 2025 RIBA Stirling Prize-winning designers Witherford Watson Mann, the Courtauld has increased its contemporary art shows. The New York-based painter Salman Toor’s initial European solo exhibit will open there on 2 October 2026.

According to Forbes, Leonard Blavatnik– the founder of his family members foundation– deserves $26.5 billion, making him the world’s 75th wealthiest person. Birthed in what is currently Ukraine in 1957, then part of the Soviet Union, he made his preliminary fortune via the privatisation of state-owned aluminium and oil assets after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Although he denies having ties to the Russian head of state Vladimir Putin, Ukraine enforced personal assents against Blavatnik in 2023.

The Turner champion carver Antony Gormley is one artist anticipating experiencing the new areas. He claims in a statement that it is “terrific to have, in such a vibrant intellectual context, a new location to consider, experience, and go over the art of our time”.

Because reopening in 2021 after a major remodelling, created by 2025 RIBA Stirling Prize-winning designers Witherford Watson Mann, the Courtauld has expanded its contemporary art programming. Recent events have actually consisted of solo shows for artists consisting of Peter Doig and Claudette Johnson, along with a major compensation by Cecily Brown. The New York-based painter Salman Toor’s very first European solo exhibit will certainly open there on 2 October 2026.

Funding the Future of Art

The Blavatnik Contemporary Galleries are expected to open up in 2029 as component of a bigger campus redevelopment, costing ₤ 82m. This redevelopment will certainly additionally involve the building of a new Blavatnik Reading Space inside the Courtauld’s remodelled collection, with expenses covered by the ₤ 10m present.

The Courtauld has actually revealed prepare for 2 new modern art galleries and an analysis space at London’s Somerset Residence, supported by a ₤ 10m present from the Blavatnik Household Foundation. The contribution brings the Foundation’s total assistance for the establishment to ₤ 20m.