The Â鶹ÊÓƵ receives the largest gift in its history from the Reuben Foundation
Press images available to download:Ìý
This morning it was announced that ³Ù³ó±ðÌýReuben FoundationÌýhas donated £30 million toÌýTheÌýÂ鶹ÊÓƵ. This is the largest financial gift The Â鶹ÊÓƵ has ever received.
Today’s announcement marks the beginning of a long-term partnership, which will also see the Reuben FoundationÌýsupporting the development of displays and exhibitions at The Â鶹ÊÓƵ through sharing works from the Reuben family’s extensive collection of art.
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ, founded in 1932, thanks to Samuel Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s extraordinary philanthropy, brings together a world-class art collection and a globally renowned academic institute in a way unmatched by others. The Reuben Foundation’s generous gift, echoing that of Samuel Â鶹ÊÓƵ, forms part of a major campaign being mounted for The Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s centenary.
Having reopened its Gallery in 2021, The Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s new campus on the Strand is expected to open in 2029. Over the last decade, £115m has been raised for these two interlinked projects. The Reuben Foundation’s extraordinary new gift will play a transformative role in funding the Strand campus and in supporting The Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s aim to share its expertise on the visual arts with the widest possible audience.
Commenting on the gift,ÌýLisa Reuben, Trustee of the Reuben Foundation, said: “WeÌýare thrilledÌýby the opportunity to build on The Â鶹ÊÓƵ’sÌýremarkableÌýhistory and to support the realisation of its ambitious development. Recognised internationally as the pre-eminent centre for the study of art history, art conservation and curatorial studies, The Â鶹ÊÓƵ exemplifies the philanthropist Samuel Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s vision of ‘art for all.’ Its enduring commitment to excellence – reflected in the generations of leaders in the art world it has produced – aligns seamlessly with the Reuben Foundation’s values and ethos and furthers our commitment to education and culture.â€
On behalf ofÌýThe Â鶹ÊÓƵ, itsÌýChairman, Lord Browne of Madingley, said: “Our success has always depended on the vision and foresight of enlightened philanthropists. We are delighted to build upon this success through our new partnership with the Reuben Foundation, which enables us to evolve once more, dramatically expanding our national and international impact.â€
Professor Mark Hallett,ÌýMärit Rausing Director of The Â鶹ÊÓƵ, said:Ìý“The partnership with the Reuben Foundation marks a defining moment in The Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s history, ushering in a bold new chapter and launching us into our next century with even greater ambition and purpose.ÌýWe look forward to working closely with the Foundation over the coming years and creating something truly unique together.â€
Media Contacts:
Bolton & Quinn
Erica Bolton,Ìýerica@boltonquinn.com
+44 (0)20 7221 5000 / +44 (0)771 1698 186
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ
/about-us/press-office/Ìý
media@courtauld.ac.ukÌý Ìý
NOTES TO EDITORS
About the Reuben Foundation
Formed in 2002, the Reuben Foundation is a UK charitable foundation focused on the advancement of healthcare, education and the community both in the UK and globally.
Recent projects include the Reuben Scholarship Programme, which assists thousands of the most talented students from less advantaged backgrounds with financial support towards university living costs. The Reuben Scholarships Programme runs in partnership with the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Ark Schools. In 2020 the Reuben Foundation made a transformational gift to establish Reuben College at the University of Oxford, marking only the 39thÌýcollege in the university’s near-1,000-year history and the first new college at the university for 30 years.
In the healthcare space gifts include the creation of the largest centre for paediatric cancer treatment in Europe at Great Ormond Street Hospital, a world-leading treatment and research centre at The Royal Marsden Hospital, and a new maternity ward and neonatal intensive care unit at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital as well as a new young people’s centre designed to provide immediate, specialist and integrated care to young people in mental health crisis.
Further information on the Reuben Foundation can be found at:Ìý
About The Â鶹ÊÓƵÌý
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ works to advance how we see and understand the visual arts, as an internationally renowned centre for the teaching and research of art history and a major public gallery. Founded by collectors and philanthropists in 1932, the organisation has been at the forefront of the study of art ever since through advanced research and conservation practice, innovative teaching, the renowned collection and inspiring exhibitions of its gallery, and engaging and accessible activities, education and events.
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ cares for one of the greatest art collections in the UK, presenting these works to the public at The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Gallery in central London, as well as through loans and partnerships. The Gallery is most famous for its iconic Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces – such as Van Gogh’sÌýSelf-Portrait with Bandaged EarÌýand Manet’sÌýA Bar at the Folies-Bergère. It showcases these alongside an internationally renowned collection of works from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance through to the present day.
Academically, The Â鶹ÊÓƵ faculty is the largest community of art historians and conservators in the UK, teaching and carrying out research on subjects from creativity in late Antiquity to contemporary digital artforms – with an increasingly global focus. An independent college of the University of London, The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Institute offers a range of degree programmes from BA to PhD in the History of Art, curating, the conservation of easel and wall paintings, and art and business. Its alumni are leaders and innovators in the arts, culture and business worlds, helping to shape the global agenda for the arts and creative industries.
Founded on the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to engage with art, The Â鶹ÊÓƵ works to increase understanding of the role played by art throughout history, in all societies and across all geographies – as well as being a champion for the importance of art in the present day. This could be through exhibitions offering a chance to look closely at world- famous works; events bringing art history research to new audiences; accessible and expert short courses; digital engagement, innovative school, family and community programmes; or taking a formal qualification. The Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s ambition is to transform access to art history education to ensure as many people as possible can benefit from the tools it offers to better understand the visual world around us.
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ is an exempt charity and relies on generous philanthropic support to achieve its mission of advancing the understanding of the visual arts of the past and present across the world through advanced research, innovative teaching, inspiring exhibitions, programmes and collections.
The collection cared for by The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Gallery is owned by the Samuel Â鶹ÊÓƵ Trust.