Tate’s four UK galleries are all closing as of this evening, due to the coronavirus outbreak.
After government advised Londoners to avoid non-essential travel and to “avoid pubs, clubs, theatres, and other social venues”, Tate have announced that they will be closing their art galleries until at least May 1. In an email sent out to subscribers this morning, they said:
“The welfare of our visitors, communities, and staff must always come first.
That’s why we are closing Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives from this evening, 17 March until 1 May. We will be reviewing this and keep you updated.
We believe that access to art is a universal human right. Now more than ever, art can lift our spirits, brighten our days and improve our mental health.
So whilst our galleries are shut, we’ll be sharing some ideas for how you can still enjoy the best of Tate online.
We don’t know yet when galleries will reopen, but we look forward to seeing you when they do.
Until then, stay safe and take care.”
(See a full list of London venue closures here.)
They also announced the news on Twitter and Instagram, stating that they will “continue to share the joy of art on our feeds during this uncertain time and hope that wherever you are, you find moments of beauty in your day. We look forward to welcoming you back to Tate when we reopen. Until then, let’s look after each other.”
They go on to say “If you have purchased tickets to an exhibition, you may choose to donate the cost of your ticket to Tate, rebook for a future date or receive a refund. Our ticketing team will be in touch with you via email in the coming days.”
If you have purchased tickets to an exhibition, you may choose to donate the cost of your ticket to Tate, rebook for a future date or receive a refund. Our ticketing team will be in touch with you via email in the coming days. (3/3)
— Tate (@Tate) March 17, 2020
This news follows yesterday’s announcement that London’s West End theatres have closed with immediate effect, and it won’t be the last news of this kind either.