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New John Hansard Gallery to officially open in May 2018

Published: 19 December 2017
New John Hansard Gallery
The new John Hansard Gallery opens in May 2018 within Southampton's new Cultural Quarter.

The renowned John Hansard Gallery will officially open in its new purpose-built home at Studio 144 in Southampton City Centre on 12 May 2018.

The Gallery, which is part of the University of Southampton and one of the UK’s leading contemporary art galleries, reopens with a headline exhibition of works by Gerhard Richter from the ARTIST ROOMS collection. This exhibition celebrates the huge breadth and impact of the work of the one of the world’s most significant contemporary artists.

In advance of the official opening of John Hansard Gallery, Studio 144 will launch with Southampton Celebrates on 16 February 2018 in collaboration with Southampton City Council, Nuffield Southampton Theatres and City Eye. The Gallery’s programme in Studio 144 will highlight the rich diversity of contemporary art, from emerging talents to celebrated international figures, from solo projects to historical surveys, and from painting, sculpture and photography, to film, performance, installations and digital media.

The opening of Studio 144, Southampton’s ambitious new venue for theatre, visual art and film, completes the city’s ambitious Cultural Quarter and forms the next step in Southampton’s cultural regeneration. 

The long awaited move, from the Gallery’s historic home at the University of Southampton’s Highfield Campus to the new purpose-built Studio 144 in Southampton’s Cultural Quarter, triples the space available for public programming, community-focused projects and active learning opportunities. The arts venue comprises around 75,000 square feet of stunning gallery, performing arts and film/media studio space across two iconic buildings, as part of a mixed-use development.  The city-centre Gallery will dramatically increase opportunities for the public to experience and be inspired by great art, as well as for creative collaboration with its new cultural neighbours in Studio 144 – City Eye and Nuffield Southampton Theatres.

Woodrow Kernohan, Director of John Hansard Gallery, says: “We are delighted to announce that we are moving into our extraordinary new city-centre home in Guildhall Square in the New Year. This move is a sea change for John Hansard Gallery, tripling our size and enabling us to realise our public-facing, community engagement and artist-focused ambitions. Our grand opening exhibition – ARTIST ROOMS: Gerhard Richter in May 2018 – will highlight one of the world’s greatest contemporary artists and officially begin our new programme. Along with our new neighbours we will launch Studio 144 with Southampton Celebrates in February 2018, a taster of what is to come in our programme of exhibitions, events, new commissions, education and research projects. We look forward to announcing our full programme for 2018 soon into the New Year.”

Louise Coysh, Associate Director, Arts and Culture, University of Southampton, adds: “The University of Southampton has a long and distinctive history as a supporter and provider of world-class arts and culture for the benefit of all. We are delighted that John Hansard Gallery and the University have this extraordinary opportunity to play an even greater role in Southampton’s cultural life from this breathtaking new home in the city’s Cultural Quarter. Studio 144 is a high-profile addition to the city’s burgeoning arts scene and a keystone in its cultural offer, positioning the Gallery, University and Southampton, as a dynamic and inspiring arts destination in the UK.”

Satvir Kaur, Councillor, Southampton City Council, says: “I am excited to welcome John Hansard Gallery to the heart of our city’s cultural quarter. Southampton is on a journey to becoming the cultural destination in the region, and the opening of Studio 144 is set to put us on the map. With the creative industries being one of the biggest contributors to the UK’s economy, I am pleased Studio 144 will be creating hundreds of local jobs and attracting thousands to our city every week.

Alongside their partners, Nuffield Southampton Theatres and City Eye, John Hansard Gallery will not only be a key asset to Southampton’s new cultural hub, but be able to enhance the amazing contribution they already make to local communities and city life; including its exemplary projects with Southampton’s Youth Offending Service, proof that the arts can help address social needs. I wish them every success in their new home.”

Phil Gibby, Area Director, South West, Arts Council England, says: “The opening of Studio 144 and relocation of John Hansard Gallery is a moment of unprecedented opportunity for Southampton and the region. We are delighted to support John Hansard Gallery through our National Portfolio funding programme. Their curatorial work is exceptional, showcasing some of the most incredible artists of our generation, and they are an amazing platform for young and emerging artists. The opening exhibition – part of ARTIST ROOMS – demonstrates the Gallery’s capacity to draw artists of national acclaim to the region.

“Our increased investment in the Gallery from 2018-2022 supports their move to the city centre site which will enable them to reach wider audiences across Southampton and beyond. We really look forward to working with John Hansard Gallery as they establish their new base in Southampton centre and to seeing the enormous benefits felt in the city and the region from the wider cultural quarter of Studio 144.”

John Hansard Gallery is funded by Arts Council England. The development of Studio 144 is led by Southampton City Council and supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, in partnership with Grosvenor Britain and Ireland Developments Limited.

 

 

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