LONDON.- The National Portrait Gallery announced the name of its new state-of-the-art learning facility, The Mildred and Simon Palley Learning Centre. Developed as part of the Gallery’s transformational Inspiring People project, the new Centre will provide spaces for learners of all ages to better connect with the world’s largest collection of portraits when the Gallery reopens on 22 June 2023.

Made fully accessible for the first time, The Mildred and Simon Palley Learning Centre will have its own dedicated entrance on St Martin’s Place, renovated as part of the largest redevelopment project in the Gallery’s history. Now comprising three new studios, a gallery and an outdoor space, the footprint of active learning spaces at the Gallery has significantly increased since 2020.

The Centre’s new studios – The Law Photography Studio, The Art Studio and The Clore Studio– will host the Gallery’s creative programmes, co-curated with artists for schools, young people and adults alike. From photography workshops to painting tutorials with artists, these programmes will develop practical skills, increasing visitors’ access to experts including artists, writers and practitioners, while extending their knowledge and understanding of portraiture and its practice. In addition to these studios, the Mildred and Simon Palley Learning Centre will house a new Studio Gallery for special displays, some curated by learners themselves, and a studio extension in the light well of the Gallery, increasing the internal footprint of the Law and Clore studios, as well as the new Mildred Garden, a unique outdoor space situated beneath the Gallery’s new forecourt and entrance.

“The creation of our new Mildred and Simon Palley Learning Centre has more than doubled the Gallery’s provision for learners, with welcoming and stimulating ‘open studios’ now available for all to enjoy. Visitors will be able to engage with portraiture in ways that just weren’t possible prior to our redevelopment, thanks to the capabilities of the new space. Thank you to Mildred and Simon Palley, the Law Family Charitable Foundation and the Clore Duffield Foundation for making this transformative new Centre and its studios a reality for our visitors.” -Dr Nicholas Cullinan, Director, National Portrait Gallery

“We are delighted to continue our support of the National Portrait Gallery, with their excellent learning programmes for all ages. The Mildred Garden will be a place for outdoor inspiration and peaceful contemplation.” -Mildred and Simon Palley, Philanthropists

The National Portrait Gallery will reopening on 22 June 2023, following its major transformational redevelopment project, Inspiring People. Inspiring People has been made possible by major grants from the Blavatnik Family Foundation and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, as well as major donations from the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Ross Foundation, Mildred and Simon Palley, Julia and Hans Rausing, the David and Claudia Harding Foundation, Bjorn and Inger Saven, the Law Family Charitable Foundation, the Clore Duffield Foundation, the Deborah Loeb Brice Foundation and Art Fund. The National Portrait Gallery is grateful to these visionary supporters, alongside others who are making the building project and its related activity possible.