Tate teams up to boost art access

Tate will share its collection with the 18 institutions

Culture lovers across the UK will have more access to art with the launch of a new initiative.

Plus Tate involves Tate and 18 arts institutions including Gateshead's Baltic, Cornerhouse in Manchester and Margate's Turner Contemporary.

The 18 will be able to share Tate's resources and collection.

The aim of the scheme, which was launched at Tate Modern, is to encourage more people to become engaged in modern and contemporary art.

'Tap into expertise'

Tate director Nicholas Serota said: "The Plus Tate network is central to Tate's vision.

"Working in partnership, collaborating closely with leading organisations that have high national and international profiles and strong links to their local communities, means we can support their further development and strengthen their hand by sharing with them Tate's resources and collection.

"At the same time, we can deepen our own experience by tapping into their particular expertise and inventiveness."

The institutions involved with Plus Tate are Arnolfini, Bristol; Baltic, Gateshead; Cornerhouse, Manchester; firstsite, Colchester; Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea; Grizedale Arts, Cumbria; The Hepworth Wakefield; Ikon, Birmingham; Kettle's Yard, Cambridge; mima, Middlesbrough; Mostyn, Llandudno; Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange, Penzance; Nottingham Contemporary; The Pier Arts Centre, Orkney; Towner, Eastbourne; Turner Contemporary, Margate; Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester and Wysing Arts Centre, Bourn, near Cambridge.