Turner Prize revamp to shut Hull's Ferens Art Gallery

The Ferens Art Gallery in Hull will host the Turner Prize in 2017

Ferens Art Gallery is to shut for work to revamp the building in time for it to host the Turner Prize in Hull's 2017 City of Culture year.

The city centre gallery will close on 31 August for a £4.5m facelift to bring it up to the required standards.

Work has started to move 2,500 artworks into a "special climate controlled storage facility", the authority said.

There will be new lighting, humidity and temperature control systems when the gallery re-opens in early 2017.

'Long-term investment'

Councillor Steven Bayes said the refit would allow the gallery to "host world-class visiting exhibitions".

"The renovation of the Ferens is a key part of getting the city ready for its year in the spotlight," he added.

"At the same time, it is an investment in the gallery's long-term future that will help to seal its reputation as one of most important cultural attractions in the North. "

Funding for the £4.5m renovation has come from the city council, HM Treasury and Arts Council England.