Southampton Gallery Reopens After £2M Refurb
Southampton City Art Gallery is reopening after a £2 million refurbishment, with Arts Council England chair Sir Nicholas Serota calling it a 'great moment' for the city. The event emphasizes the importance of supporting regional museums and galleries beyond London's major institutions.
The £2.23 million refurbishment was primarily funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's Museum Estate and Development Fund, which is administered by Arts Council England. The gallery, housed in the Grade II* listed Civic Centre, closed for just over a year for these essential works, which included repairs to the roof and heating systems to better preserve the collection. The reopening on March 7, 2026, unveils several significant new acquisitions shown together for the first time. Highlights include "Centrifugal Forces," a sculpture by internationally acclaimed artist Laura Ford, and a video installation by Ian Giles centered on what is considered the first LGBTQIA+ protest song recorded on vinyl. A major new exhibition by Southampton-born artist and musician Emma Richardson, titled "Levitate Me: Desire, Ecstasy and The Sublime," also marks the reopening. Richardson is also known for her role as bassist and backing vocalist for the band Pixies. Southampton City Art Gallery's collection is considered of national importance, holding 'Designated' status from Arts Council England. It comprises over 5,300 works spanning eight centuries, with a strong focus on 20th-century British and contemporary art, including pieces by the Camden Town Group and artists associated with St Ives.
