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 A new visual arts centre,
Turner Contemporary, will open in Margate in 2010.
Turner Contemporary is central to the plans to regenerate
Margate and Thanet, which contain amongst the highest levels of
social deprivation in the South East.
Working in partnership with Thanet District Council, Arts
Council England and South East England Development Agency, this
model of culture-led regeneration will lead to the transformation
of the entire eastern seafront of Margate, in addition to providing
a gallery of international standing.
The regeneration impacts will include a major private sector led
development on an adjoining site; a revitalised Cultural Quarter in
the Old Town; significant redesign of the public realm; major job
creation; and stronger confidence to invest.
The overall effect is expected to enable Margate to redefine its
role and cultural activities; contribute to the regeneration of the
local economy; open up the waterfront area from the Harbour Arm to
the Lido; and strengthen Kent's cultural offer.
Designed by David Chipperfield Architects Limited (link
opens in a new window), the gallery celebrates the area's close
connection with the artist, JMW Turner, a regular visitor to
Margate and the north Kent coast.
Turner was drawn to Margate by the unique quality of light,
leading him to remark that, "the skies over Thanet are the
loveliest in all Europe".
David Chipperfield, winner of the 2007 RIBA Stirling Prize for
Architecture, has a prestigious track record and Turner
Contemporary will be one of only a handful of his public buildings
in the UK.
The two-storey building will have a series of naturally lit,
beautifully proportioned galleries, an education suite, café and
shop. It will offer visitors unsurpassed opportunities to see first
class exhibitions of historical and contemporary art and to spend
time in a contemporary building in which light and space play an
important role.
A balcony overlooking the ground floor gallery will provide
stunning views out to sea.
A studio will be available for a wide range of educational
purposes and will complement a range of activities that take place
in the multifunctional space.The inclusion of a young person's
gallery curated by a group of young people will demonstrate Turner
Contemporary's commitment to developing skills and
training. |