Our partnership with Tate Liverpool

The Tate Partnership, which started in 2016, formalises a history of collaboration that stretches back over 30 years in which our academics and students have pursued common goals alongside Tate’s researchers and curators.

Led by Professor Fiona Beveridge, Executive Pro-Vice-Chancellor, our award-winning partnership with Tate Liverpool focusses on broadening participation in art and culture and increasing our impact among diverse audiences.

One of the unique aspects of our partnership is our ability to bring a rich variety of research perspectives to Tate’s exhibitions. From Computer Scientists working with the robots in Tate’s Cécile B. Evans exhibition, to Egyptologists inspiring creative responses to the Book of the Dead, Liverpool academics have been able to share expertise as well as find ways of broadening their own research through engagement with Tate.

Activities so far

Since 2016 the University has been proud to support a number of exhibitions and activities at Tate Liverpool.

Exhibitions

We have supported five major exhibitions:

Image of a part of the Cécile B. Evans: Sprung a Leak exhibition at Tate Liverpool

Cécile B. Evans, Sprung a Leak 2016. Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Emanuel Layr, Vienna.

Cécile B. Evans: Sprung a Leak (21 October 2016 – 19 March 2017)

Exploring the movement of data, artificial intelligence, and the relationship between humans and machines. Drawing on our research in the fields of science, technology, film and theatre.

A man viewing a painting at the Surrealism in Egypt exhibition in Tate Liverpool

© Image courtesy Collection of Sheikh Hassan. M. A. AL Thani Qatar

Surrealism in Egypt (17 November 2017 – 18 March 2018)

Linked to our Garstang Museum and its impressive collection of Egyptian and Sudanese artefacts. Our activity included student led public tours and ‘The Book of the Dead: Passport to the Underworld’ Tate Exchange programme.

Fernand Leger: New Times, New Pleasures (23 November 2018 – 17 March 2019)

Drawing on new forms of communication that boomed during the ‘mechanical age’ of the twentieth century, we led a number of public events relating to our English, music technology, infectious diseases and public health expertise.

an image from the Theaster Gates: Amalgam exhibition at Tate Liverpool

Still from the film Dance of Malaga, 2019 © Theaster Gates and courtesy of the artist. Photo: Chris Strong

Theaster Gates: Amalgam (13 December 2019 – 3 May 2020)

Exploring the complex and interweaving issues of race, territory, and inequality in the United States. Closed to public on 18 March 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic.

A group of people viewing artwork at the Lucy McKenzie exhibition at Tate Liverpool

Installation view of Lucy McKenzie at Tate Liverpool, 20 October 2021 – 13 March 2022 © Gareth Jones

Lucy McKenzie (20 October 2021 – Current)

Bringing Lucy McKenzie, expert painter, collaborator and creator of high fashion, to University life through our music, architecture, history and law and social justice.

Student activities

We have provided a range of opportunities for students to get involved and work closely with Tate Liverpool, one of the major cultural institutions in the region, including:

  • Student ambassadors gaining valuable experience of exhibition marketing
  • Career insights and guidance for the cultural sector
  • Tate Liverpool hosting placements for MA students
  • Workshops and gallery visits bringing students closer to the collections.

Tate Exchange

Tate Exchange provides a focus for joint projects that support Tate’s exhibitions, and enables the University to engage with new audiences. Since it began, University colleagues have led 17 Tate Exchange programmes, seen by over 73,000 visitors.

We have also been able to run an impressive programme of public engagement and education activities, as well as delivering benefits for staff and students including invitations to private views, free entry into sponsored exhibitions and discounts in the Tate Liverpool shop and café.

Find out more about all our partnership activities with Tate Liverpool in our Five-year Report.

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