LONDON.- Art Fund, the national charity for art, announced today that Queer Britain will be opening the UK’s first national LGBTQ+ museum at its building in Kings Cross, London.

Established in 2018, Queer Britain is a registered charity and aims for the new museum to be a fully inclusive space that celebrates the stories, people and places that are so intrinsic to the queer community in the UK, and beyond. The museum is an inclusive place that promises to welcome everyone regardless of sexuality or gender identity – allowing visitors to explore and learn about the past, present and future stories that the queer community is steeped in.

The museum will be housed on the ground floor of 2 Granary Square, Kings Cross, London, NC1 4BH, part of the building owned by Art Fund. The lease starts in January 2022 and Queer Britain hopes to be able to open the doors to its new museum to the public free of charge in spring 2022 and will announce its plans and programme shortly. Queer Britain succeeds The House of Illustration as Art Fund’s tenants, who are moving to a larger space.

Jenny Waldman (she/her), director, Art Fund, said, ‘We're delighted to welcome Queer Britain as our new tenants. Their exciting proposal for the first UK museum dedicated to exploring LGBTQ+ histories, people and ideas was warmly supported by our trustees, and we're thrilled that our beautiful building in Granary Square will be home for the first phase of the Queer Britain museum. It promises to be an essential destination.'

Lisa Power (she/her), Queer Britain trustee, said, ‘I'm really excited that Queer Britain is finally going to have a space to show what we can do and that we're here for all the community, from old lesbian feminist warhorses like me to young queer folk of all genders and ethnicities. Queer Britain aims to tell our many and diverse histories, and now we have a home to do that from.’

Anjum Mouj (she/her), Queer Britain trustee, said, ‘The UK is finally getting the LGBTQ+ museum it deserves, to reflect and celebrate all our exciting and wildly diverse communities, whatever their sexualities, gender identities, backgrounds, ability or heritage. Community lives in unity.”

Joseph Galliano (he/him), director and co-founder, Queer Britain, said, ‘It’s time the UK had an LGBTQ+ museum, for all. And we are delighted to have found our first home in beautiful Granary Square with Art Fund as our first landlord. It’s a prime location accessible to swathes of the country, and in a part of town with a rich Queer heritage.’

Once open the space will include four galleries, a workshop, an education space, gift shop and offices for the Queer Britain team. The museum will be fully accessible via lifts and ramps and will always be free entry but welcomes donations to support its work. The ever-growing Queer Britain archive is currently housed at the Bishopsgate Institute (accessible by appointment to the public and researchers). The Granary Square tenancy is initially for two years.