A Year Celebrating Britain’s Greatest Artist: Turner 250  #Turner250 

This morning, cultural institutions across Britain announced Turner 250, a year-long festival of exhibitions and events celebrating 250 years since the birth of JMW Turner, one of the greatest and most influential British artists of all time. Turner Contemporary will present JMW Turner’s oil sketch Waves Breaking on a Lee Shore at Margate (Study for ‘Rockets and Blue Lights’) from April 2025 to April 2026, on loan from Tate. This special display of a single work joins nationwide exhibitions celebrating the 250th anniversary of Britain’s most influential painter. 

Taking place throughout 2025, the programme invites audiences nationwide and beyond to rediscover Turner’s remarkable life, works, and enduring legacy. From museum visits and gallery tours to television broadcasts and online resources, Turner 250 offers everyone an opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of this pioneering artist. Born on 23 April 1775, Turner rose from modest beginnings to redefine landscape painting and create some of the most iconic depictions of the natural world ever produced. His influence continues to resonate, whether through the Turner Prize, his place on the £20 note alongside Turner Contemporary, or the countless artists inspired by his work, his radical vision defines Turner Contemporary’s ethos today. 

Highlights of Turner 250 include over 30 projects led by major institutions such as Tate, the BBC, and Art UK, as well as local galleries and cultural organisations. Key elements of the programme are: 

• Turner Exhibitions Across Britain: Museums in London, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Norwich, Bath, and Sussex will host exhibitions exploring Turner’s career, themes, and connections to other luminaries like Jane Austen and John Constable. 

• Modern and Contemporary Legacy: Special displays and events will explore Turner’s influence on modern and contemporary art. A highlight will be the Turner Prize 2025, hosted in Bradford as part of the UK City of Culture celebrations. 

• Publications and Media: A comprehensive catalogue of Turner’s 37,500 sketches and watercolours will be made available on Tate’s website. BBC Arts will premiere a major documentary on Turner’s life and art, while the BFI will screen Mike Leigh’s award-winning film Mr. Turner. 

• Talks and Workshops: New scholarship and ideas inspired by Turner will be showcased at events like an international conference at Tate Britain and a summit on art and the natural world at Turner Contemporary in Margate. 

Turner’s influence extends far beyond the UK, and his 250th anniversary will also be marked internationally with exhibitions in Connecticut, Cincinnati, and Shanghai, alongside a special showcase in Dublin. 

Clarrie Wallis, Director, Turner Contemporary, said “I am delighted that Turner Contemporary will present JMW Turner’s ‘Waves Breaking on a Lee Shore at Margate (Study for ‘Rockets and Blue Lights’)’, on loan from Tate, as part of Turner 250—a nationwide celebration marking the 250th anniversary of Britain’s most influential painter. Margate, a place Turner described as having ‘the loveliest skies in Europe,’ was deeply significant to him, shaping his radical vision that redefined landscape painting and produced some of the most iconic depictions of the natural world. From the Turner Prize to his place on the £20 note, Turner’s enduring legacy continues to inspire and lies at the heart of Turner Contemporary’s ethos today.”

Quotes from Leaders in the Arts 

Arts Minister Sir Chris Bryant said:
“Turner was one of this country’s greatest artists. An innovator who reshaped British art, his legacy continues to permeate through the arts and public life. The 250th anniversary of his birth offers an opportunity for everyone to explore and celebrate Britain’s rich artistic heritage. I encourage everyone to participate in this remarkable year of events.” 

Maria Balshaw, Director of Tate, commented:
“Turner is a standout figure in the story of British creativity. As caretakers of the world’s largest collection of his works, Tate is honoured to play a central role in Turner 250. Over the course of the year, we will showcase over 150 works at Tate Britain and lend many more to venues across the UK and beyond.” 

Suzy Klein, Head of BBC Arts & Classical Music TV, added:
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Tate to celebrate Britain’s most celebrated artist. By granting unprecedented access to Turner’s vast collection, we hope to bring audiences closer to the genius of his creative mind and the transformative era in which he lived.” 

Turner 250 promises to be an unforgettable celebration of a towering figure in British art. Whether through iconic masterpieces, groundbreaking scholarship, or community events, the programme will ensure Turner’s genius continues to inspire new generations of art lovers worldwide. 

A new brand for a bold vision

In conjunction with Turner 250, Turner Contemporary is unveiling a new visual identity, developed in collaboration with the award-winning design studio Graphic Thought Facility. The new brand reflects Turner’s radical spirit of enquiry and his innovative approach to light, colour, and the depiction of nature. In the same way, Turner Contemporary’s new visual identity embraces innovation and creativity, while staying true to the gallery’s mission to spark dialogue, inspire curiosity, and offer new perspectives through art. The new design incorporates bold, dynamic elements that echo Turner’s ability to capture the ever-changing landscape, from stormy seas to tranquil skies.

To ensure a seamless digital experience, Turner Contemporary has partnered with One Darnley Road to roll out the brand identity across its website and digital platforms.

Clarrie Wallis, Director of Turner Contemporary, commented:

“The launch of our new brand during Turner 250 is a defining moment for Turner Contemporary. Our new identity reflects the transformative power of art, while the display of Turner’s Waves Breaking on a Lee Shore at Margate pays tribute to his genius and lasting impact.”

A tribute from Tracey Emin

On Turner’s birthday, 23 April, a projection of Tracey Emin’s A Poem—her love letter to JMW Turner—will illuminate the Turner Contemporary building. Emin, one of Margate’s most celebrated contemporary artists, finds deep inspiration in Turner’s emotive use of light and atmosphere.

The projection will serve as both a tribute to Turner and a testament to Margate’s thriving contemporary art scene, highlighting the town’s ongoing artistic legacy and its ability to inspire generations of artists.

Educational initiatives

The gallery is launching a free JMW Turner schools’ resource, allowing students to explore Waves Breaking on a Lee Shore at Margate during their walk between Margate train station and the gallery.

In addition, Turner Contemporary will host Young Creatives in summer 2025, a free exhibition showcasing works by young artists (under 25) from Kent and Medway. Inspired by Waves Breaking on a Lee Shore at Margate, submissions are open until 9 May 2025, with selected works to be displayed in the Clore Learning Studio in collaboration with the RNLI.

For a complete list of exhibitions and events, visit tate.org.uk/turner-250. 

Public Information 

Details of the programme are publicly accessible at tate.org.uk/turner-250. 

Press Information 

For press requests, email pressoffice@tate.org.uk or call +44(0)20 7887 8730.

Access the full press pack and images via Tate’s Dropbox.