A commercial art gallery has announced plans to launch a new gallery and arts centre in Somerset offering exhibition, event and education programmes, supported by an artists’ residencies programme.
Hauser & Wirth, which represents artists such as Martin Creed and Ron Mueck, already has galleries in Zurich, London and New York. It plans to open the new site at Durslade Farm in Bruton in 2014, under associate director Alice Workman.
The centre will offer free admission to the public six days a week, with an estimated 40,000 visitors expected each year. The centre is expected to provide up to 30 new jobs.
Iwan Wirth, president of Hauser & Wirth, said: “We see ourselves as custodians of these beautiful historic buildings, and we are delighted to be bringing a world-class facility and public resource to the people of Bruton and Somerset. This new gallery will be of international significance, but at its core will be the local landscape and community.”
South Somerset District Council granted planning permission earlier this month. Architectural firm Laplace & Co has been appointed to renovate the farm buildings.
The former stables and workshops will form a reading room, library, education space and office, while the farmhouse itself will be for guests, including artists installing changing exhibitions at the gallery.
The cowsheds will be converted into a restaurant, visitors' entrance and bookshop, and the barns will become three gallery spaces. Two new gallery buildings are also planned.
Hauser & Wirth said it is building links with local arts organisations, including the Holburne Museum in Bath.
It is not the first commercial gallery to expand its focus to museum-like activities. White Cube Bermondsey, which opened in south London last year, offers an education programme, artists’ films and lectures in its auditorium.
Hauser & Wirth, which represents artists such as Martin Creed and Ron Mueck, already has galleries in Zurich, London and New York. It plans to open the new site at Durslade Farm in Bruton in 2014, under associate director Alice Workman.
The centre will offer free admission to the public six days a week, with an estimated 40,000 visitors expected each year. The centre is expected to provide up to 30 new jobs.
Iwan Wirth, president of Hauser & Wirth, said: “We see ourselves as custodians of these beautiful historic buildings, and we are delighted to be bringing a world-class facility and public resource to the people of Bruton and Somerset. This new gallery will be of international significance, but at its core will be the local landscape and community.”
South Somerset District Council granted planning permission earlier this month. Architectural firm Laplace & Co has been appointed to renovate the farm buildings.
The former stables and workshops will form a reading room, library, education space and office, while the farmhouse itself will be for guests, including artists installing changing exhibitions at the gallery.
The cowsheds will be converted into a restaurant, visitors' entrance and bookshop, and the barns will become three gallery spaces. Two new gallery buildings are also planned.
Hauser & Wirth said it is building links with local arts organisations, including the Holburne Museum in Bath.
It is not the first commercial gallery to expand its focus to museum-like activities. White Cube Bermondsey, which opened in south London last year, offers an education programme, artists’ films and lectures in its auditorium.
