A Norwich museum of international art has received a “revitalising” gift of £91.2m from a charitable foundation.
The donation – one of the largest ever to a UK museum – was made to the Sainsbury Centre by philanthropist and businessman Lord David Sainsbury, through his charitable foundation Gatsby.
Lord Sainsbury’s donation will allow for the enhancement of the Grade II*-listed Sainsbury Centre building, with architect Foster + Partners undertaking the programme of refurbishment.
Three key areas of the building, which was designed by Norman Foster and completed in 1978, will receive renovation: the envelope, its environmental systems, and some key visitor amenities.
Some alterations will significantly enhance the sustainability of the building through environmental technology, according to the Sainsbury Centre.
Improvements to the museum building will include installing photovoltaic panels into a new roof system to enable renewable energy to be generated on site, and the replacement of ageing environmental systems.
Gift will ‘secure future’ of museum
The museum’s executive director, Jago Cooper, said of the donation: “This incredible gift secures the future of the Sainsbury Centre.
“Foster’s vision for the most radical art museum in the world half a century ago is being revitalised for the next generation of visitors,” Cooper added.
“Long into the future the public can experience one of the best art collections in the world in an architectural wonder that breaks the museum rules.”
The donation comes less than a year after the Julia Rausing Trust pledged £150m – the largest single gift to a museum or gallery anywhere in the world – to fund a new public wing at the National Gallery in London.
