UK Culture Secretary Advocates for Wider Accessibility of National Art Collection

The UK Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, has confirmed plans to ensure the national art collection is more accessible to the general public. During the announcement of this year’s Robson Orr TenTen award, she emphasized the intention to relocate part of the 15,000-piece collection “out of the basement and into communities,” with hopes that this initiative will inspire future generations of artists across the UK. “We are determined to get the nation’s great artworks out of the basement and into communities where they belong,” Nandy stated.

The Robson Orr TenTen award, now in its seventh year, commissions a British artist annually to create a piece that is showcased in UK government buildings globally. Past contributors to this project have included a range of acclaimed artists. This year’s recipient is Grenada-born British artist Denzil Forrester, known for his vibrant depiction of Cornish nightlife in his painting “Altar,” which captures a dub-reggae dancehall scene in Falmouth, Cornwall.

Nandy pointed out that through the sale of Forrester’s artwork, additional funds would be raised to support emerging and under-represented artists, thereby enhancing opportunities throughout the UK. “I look forward to seeing how the sale of his works will help raise funds to support emerging or under-represented UK artists and drive opportunity in all regions,” Nandy added.

Forrester described his work as a celebration of Cornwall’s nightlife, incorporating his signature use of light and sound distortions viewed from an aerial perspective. “I’ve shown how light and sound distort the space, and used an aerial view to watch the scene unfold from above,” Forrester explained. The Stephen Friedman Gallery will be responsible for selling prints of the work, with proceeds going back into promoting under-represented art within the government’s collection.

Despite this development, Nandy did not provide detailed methodologies on how the government’s new approach would implement the sharing of art with communities. Currently, the collection is shared via institutional partnerships but a recent report from the Fabian Society suggested broader distribution including spaces like GP surgeries and libraries.

Additionally, Nandy acknowledged the contributions of philanthropists Sybil Robson Orr and Matthew Orr, whose establishment of the award helps address regional disparities in cultural exposure and access. “While talent is everywhere in the country, we’re aware that opportunity is not,” she remarked.

Furthermore, the conversation around what art is displayed in government buildings continues, as seen when Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans to display female-related artworks in No. 11 Downing Street, aiming to mark influential women’s lives. Meanwhile, Labour leader Keir Starmer has also reportedly signified interest in art placement as noted by his biographer, Tom Baldwin.