The National Gallery has announced the most ambitious transformation in its 200-year history, with pledges totalling £375 million securing a central new wing and reimagined public realm. The scale of support marks an unprecedented moment for any UK cultural institution, driven by two record-breaking donations that will permanently alter the Gallery’s future.
At the heart of the initiative, named Project Domani, is an international architectural competition for a new wing on the St Vincent House site at Trafalgar Square. The building, currently occupied by offices and a hotel, was initially acquired to allow for expansion. Its redevelopment will create state-of-the-art galleries capable of housing a broader and more ambitious programme. Established practices and emerging architectural firms alike are expected to compete for the commission, signalling a rare opportunity to redefine a cornerstone of London’s cultural landscape.
The Gallery emphasises that this expansion is not simply about additional space. It represents a commitment to extending the story of Western painting while opening doors to audiences at home and abroad. The project coincides with a new collaboration between the National Gallery and Tate, who have agreed to share expertise, loans and curatorial strategy, marking a significant step in how Britain’s national collections are shaped.
Director Sir Gabriele Finaldi placed the project in historical perspective: “Having celebrated our bicentenary, we now look ahead. We want to ensure the National Gallery remains the place where the public encounters the finest works of European painting within an architectural setting equal to their significance. The generosity shown by donors makes this vision possible.”
The headline gifts include £150m from Crankstart, the foundation of Sir Michael Moritz KBE and Harriet Heyman, and £150m from the Julia Rausing Trust. Sir Hans Rausing described the gift as a tribute to his late wife Julia, noting her passion for accessibility in the arts and her belief in the Gallery’s global role. A further £75m has been pledged by the National Gallery Trust, alongside contributions from individual benefactors, including chairman John Booth.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy welcomed the initiative as proof of the importance of philanthropy in sustaining public access to the arts: “The new wing at the National Gallery will open up world-class art for millions, cementing its position as one of the nation’s most loved institutions.”
Beyond the new wing, the project will reshape the surrounding area between Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square. Improved public spaces are envisioned to complement the Gallery’s expanded footprint, turning the precinct into a more welcoming cultural hub. Advances in sustainable building techniques will ensure that the new wing meets contemporary environmental standards, positioning the National Gallery at the forefront of responsible museum design.
Collaboration with Tate is another crucial element. Maria Balshaw, Tate’s Director, confirmed the institutions are developing joint initiatives through a newly formed working group. The aim is to coordinate acquisitions, loans and conservation, ensuring both collections evolve in complementary ways while retaining their distinctive character.
For the National Gallery, the new chapter is about more than architecture. It is about securing relevance in a global cultural landscape where competition is fierce, and audiences expect dynamism as well as continuity. By aligning major philanthropic support with curatorial ambition, the Gallery seeks to affirm its place as the international reference point for the history of painting.
With construction set to begin once the winning design is announced, Project Domani will mark a defining moment in how Britain presents and preserves its artistic heritage. The National Gallery is not simply looking back at its past two centuries but positioning itself as a leading cultural force for the next hundred years.