Art UK: Digitizing the United Kingdom's Public Art Collections
Art is often locked away in private galleries or tucked into the corners of local government buildings, making it difficult for the general public to appreciate the full breadth of a nation's creative heritage. Art UK, a cultural and educational charity based in Monument, London, is changing this by creating a comprehensive digital record of the United Kingdom's public art.
Originally established in 2003 as the Public Catalogue Foundation, the organization aims to make art accessible to everyone by digitizing oil, tempera, and acrylic paintings, as well as sculptures, held in public ownership across the UK.
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Key Facts
- Founded: 2003 (formerly the Public Catalogue Foundation).
- Scale: Over 1 million artworks by more than 70,000 artists.
- Scope: Works from over 3,400 collections across the United Kingdom.
- Core Mission: To create a complete digital record of public art and increase accessibility.
- Major Funding: Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and other sources.
The Evolution of a Digital Archive
The journey began with a focused project between 2003 and 2012 to secure the necessary rights to display images of approximately 210,000 oil paintings in public ownership. Initially, this information was shared through affordable book catalogues, often organized by county.
As technology evolved, Art UK partnered with the BBC to launch a website originally called Your Paintings. In 2016, the platform transitioned to a stand-alone site and was rebranded as Art UK. This digital shift allowed the charity to expand its reach, eventually cataloguing works from thousands of different collections.
Educational and Research Impact
By providing color illustrations and short descriptions for every painting and sculpture in the national collections, Art UK provides significant educational benefits. These digital records serve as the essential building blocks for future art historical research, allowing scholars and students to analyze works that were previously difficult to locate or access.
Who is Included in the Collection?
The breadth of Art UK's coverage is extensive, spanning a wide variety of institutions. This includes national and local museums, council collections, and art held within universities. It also encompasses unique locations such as the bishops' palaces of the Church of England and various hospitals.
Other participating entities include:
- Properties owned by the National Trust.
- Colleges of Oxford and Cambridge universities.
- Arts Council England.
- English Heritage.
- The Government Art Collection.
It is important to note that while the coverage is vast, the Royal Collection is not included in the archive.
Funding Conservation
Art UK does more than just digitize; it helps preserve. Revenue generated from the sale of the physical catalogues is dedicated specifically to the conservation and restoration of the oil paintings under the care of the participating collections.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Former Name | Public Catalogue Foundation |
| Headquarters | Monument, London |
| Total Artworks Digitized | 1 million+ |
| Number of Artists | 70,000+ |
| Number of Collections | 3,400+ |
| Website | artuk.org |
Recognition and Partnerships
The charity's commitment to innovation has been recognized by the industry. Apollo magazine named Art UK the "Digital Innovation of the Year" in both 2016 and 2022, with the latter award recognizing the successful cataloguing of the UK's public sculpture.
The importance of this work was highlighted by 2019 patron Yinka Shonibare, who noted that public sculpture is the most democratic way to share art because it transcends economic status, race, and class. Most recently, in September 2024, Art UK became one of three partners in the launch of the Museum Data Service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Art UK?
Art UK is a UK-based cultural and educational charity that creates a digital record of the nation's public art collections, including paintings and sculptures, to make them accessible to the general public.
Which collections are included in the Art UK database?
The database includes works from over 3,400 collections, including national and local museums, universities, the National Trust, English Heritage, and the Government Art Collection. However, the Royal Collection is not included.
How does Art UK support the physical preservation of art?
Revenue earned from the sale of the charity's catalogues is used specifically for the conservation and restoration of oil paintings within the collections.
What was Art UK previously called?
The organization was originally founded in 2003 as the Public Catalogue Foundation.
How many artworks has Art UK digitized?
Art UK has digitized more than 1 million paintings, sculptures, and other artworks by over 70,000 different artists.