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. 

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. 

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.