New Art Centre

New Art Centre. The New Art Centre is a significant contemporary art gallery and sculpture park located in Wiltshire, England. Founded in 1958, it has established a long-standing reputation for presenting innovative work by both established and emerging artists. Its programming encompasses exhibitions across two historic sites, fostering a dynamic dialogue between art, architecture, and landscape.

History

The institution was established in 1958 by a group of artists and patrons seeking to create a new platform for contemporary art outside of London. Its first home was in Sloane Street, Chelsea, where it quickly gained recognition for its ambitious exhibitions. In 1975, the New Art Centre relocated its main operations to Roche Court, a historic Edwardian estate near Salisbury. This move marked a pivotal expansion, integrating a sculpture park within the estate's gardens and farmland. Under the subsequent directorship of Megan Piper, the granddaughter of the original founders, the centre further solidified its role, opening a second exhibition space at Messums Wiltshire in 2016 to broaden its reach and programming scope.

Location and facilities

The primary location is the Roche Court estate, which comprises an Edwardian house gallery and over twenty acres of sculptural grounds. The landscaped gardens, originally designed by Edwardian architect Detmar Blow, provide a serene setting for large-scale outdoor installations. A second key facility operates at Messums Wiltshire, a monumental thirteenth-century Tithe barn in Tisbury that has been meticulously restored for exhibitions and events. This space, notable for its spectacular medieval timber frame, offers a contrasting architectural context for displaying art. Both sites include dedicated spaces for education and archival research, supporting the centre's commitment to artistic discourse.

Exhibitions and programming

The programme features a continuous cycle of solo and group exhibitions, often exploring the relationship between sculpture and its environment. It has presented significant surveys of major British artists, including Barbara Hepworth, Anthony Caro, and Richard Long. The outdoor programme actively commissions new site-responsive works for the sculpture park, with past projects by artists such as Antony Gormley, Angela Bulloch, and David Nash. A strong emphasis is placed on artist talks, educational workshops, and collaborations with institutions like the Royal Academy of Arts and University of the Arts London. The centre also publishes scholarly catalogues and maintains an active artist residency initiative.

Notable artists and works

The New Art Centre has exhibited and represented a wide array of influential figures in modern and contemporary art. Key artists associated with its history include Kenneth Armitage, Elisabeth Frink, and Barry Flanagan, whose iconic bronze hare, Leaping Hare, is a feature of the grounds. The sculpture park holds permanent installations by Eduardo Paolozzi, William Turnbull, and Peter Randall-Page. More recent exhibitions have showcased work by Rachel Whiteread, Tacita Dean, and Rana Begum. The collection and exhibition strategy often highlights the development of British sculpture from the post-war period to the present day.

Governance and funding

The organisation operates as an educational charity, governed by a board of trustees that includes figures from the arts and academia. Day-to-day management and artistic direction are led by Director Megan Piper. Funding is derived from a combination of private patronage, grants from bodies such as Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and commercial activities including artwork sales and venue hire. Its charitable status underpins a core mission of providing public access to contemporary art and supporting artists' careers through commissions and exhibitions.

Category:Art museums and galleries in Wiltshire Category:Sculpture parks and gardens in England Category:Art organizations established in 1958 Category:Museums in Wiltshire