Courtauld Connects Launch

On 29 November, against the backdrop of the Courtauld Impressionists exhibition at the National Gallery, The Courtauld Institute of Art is launching the campaign: Courtauld Connects.

This ambitious five-year campaign will raise £70m to transform our Grade 1 Listed Somerset House estate and connect more people with The Courtauld’s collections, research and teaching.

Phase 1 Capital Redevelopments include:

• Reinstate the Great Room as a single volume gallery
• Increase wheelchair accessibility from 49% to 91%
• Fit-out a new Conservation Department, including installing a new art lift
• Create more gallery spaces from back-office rooms
• Tunnel under the road to create an extended café
• Future-proof collections storage
• Improve gallery environments with new flooring, lighting and climate controls
• Create a new visitor reception and staircase

Phase 1 Programmes include:

• Use volunteers to digitise The Courtauld’s collection of 3 million photographs
• Expand The Courtauld’s art history research festival ResFest
• Loan key works of art from The Courtauld collection to regional partners
• Run a national programme of art history outreach workshops for children and young people
• Train volunteers and partner museum staff in art history skills
• Research Somerset House and local Courtauld history