Tate and V&A pool art collections

TRUSTEES OF two leading art collections yesterday announced a pioneering deal which will eventually see both treated as a single pool of work.

The Victoria & Albert Museum and Tate Gallery in London are to establish a series of long-term loans as they renovate their displays and put their artworks into a new historic context. Some works previously seen for free at the Tate will soon be subject to the V&A's entrance fee.

But Alan Borg, director of the V&A, said: "Vice versa, works from the V&A which go to the Tate will be seen for free." The agreement ties in with major developments at both institutions. The present Tate site at Millbank is being relaunched as the Tate Gallery of British Art in spring of next year with a pounds 32m building project bringing a series of new galleries. The modern art collection is moving to the new Tate development at Bankside on the south bank of the Thames.

At the V&A, the pounds 31m British Galleries project will see 15 galleries transformed to showcase British art and design from 1500-1900. As these are established both institutions will exchange major works.

The Tate will gain 15 to 20 works by Constable, together with miniatures and sculptures. The V&A, in return, will display works from Hogarth, Stubbs and Whistler.