| Arrangement | The records are divided into three separate series; exhibition files, exhibitions policy and planning, and cancelled exhibitions, and are arranged chronologically and grouped according to the exhibition. Most of the files in the series fall under generic titles. Organisation files contain details of the exhibition layout, art works, memos and correspondence between individuals and departments. Loan files primarily contain Tate loan agreements with lending institutions or individuals. Lenders files contain correspondence between Tate and lending institutions and individuals. Publicity files contain printed material such as pamphlets and occasionally details of events held in conjunction with the exhibition. Condition Reports give details of the condition of art works loaned to Tate for the duration of the exhibition. Tour files may include details of transportation and transfer of art works where an exhibition held at Tate Liverpool is afterwards shown at another gallery. The records are listed down to file level. |
| Administrative History | When Tate Liverpool opened in May 1988 its primary purpose was to increase access to the national collection of modern art, but from the outset Tate Liverpool produced its own lively programme of exhibitions independent of its parent institution in London, whilst establishing relationships with galleries and other regional arts organisations through collaboration.
Under Richard Francis' direction Tate Liverpool's programme was conceived as a collection of exhibitions and displays changing at different rates and whilst the vertical stacking of the galleries over three floors discouraged survey exhibitions, the first floor gallery was chosen to host the exhibitions programme. It was anticipated that exhibition space would eventually expand to also include areas on both the second and fourth floors once the remaining thirty per cent of the building, still awaiting conversion to gallery space, had been completed.
The exhibitions programme was originally designed to provide popular exhibitions during the summer months to take advantage of the influx of tourists to Liverpool and to feature more challenging exhibitions over the autumn and winter. In some instances, it deliberately sought to amplify its Collection displays and vice versa.
In its first two years of operation, Tate Liverpool attracted over 1.4 million visitors, encouraging audiences of whom many had almost no experience of modern or contemporary art. In the longer term, its aim has been to establish Tate Liverpool as a significant regional location for the exhibition of contemporary art like other European regional centres and galleries. |
| Custodial History | The earliest records have been transferred from Tate Liverpool Director's office. Thereafter records have been transferred by Tate Liverpool Exhibitions and Displays Department and Tate Liverpool Publications. |