Celebrating 15 years of Turner Contemporary

Honouring JMW Turner’s legacy and supporting a brighter future for Margate.

April 2026 marks Turner Contemporary’s 15th anniversary. As we celebrate this milestone, we're honoured to have work by two of the most influential British artists on view in our galleries—Bridget Riley and David Hockney. Founded to honour JMW Turner’s deep connection to Margate’s skies and sea, the gallery has spent fifteen years connecting local communities with world-leading artists and demonstrating how art can drive cultural and economic renewal.

Designed by architect David Chipperfield, the gallery stands on the seafront site where JMW Turner would stay when visiting Margate. The opening was inaugurated by artist Tracey Emin and musician Jools Holland with over 15,000 visitors attending the opening weekend to see the gallery’s first exhibition, Revealed, which featured Turner's The Eruption of the Souffrier Mountains alongside contemporary works. Since then, the gallery has welcomed 5 million visitors, contributed over £100 million to the local economy, and presented work by over 350 artists from across the world including Dame Tracey Emin, Simone Leigh, Mark Leckey and Sonia Boyce.  

Clarrie Wallis, Director of Turner Contemporary, said:
‘Fifteen years ago, Turner Contemporary was founded on a bold belief—that world-class art belongs in Margate, and that art has the power to transform lives. This anniversary is as much about our community as it is about our history.’

Celebrations for the anniversary began with the unveiling of a new work for the gallery’s Sunley Window on 1 April 2026. Realised by one of the UK’s most influential and best loved artists—David Hockney—the window depicts a sunrise in Normandy, where the artist once lived. It is adapted from 27th April 2020, No.1, which Hockney created on an iPad—a digital medium he embraced to capture the vitality of the natural world. Measuring seven by ten metres, this site-specific installation transforms the gallery’s iconic floor-to-ceiling window, framing Margate’s celebrated skies and views of the North Sea—the same light that inspired JMW Turner.

The opening of Hockney's Sunley Window was attended by thirty pupils from Salmestone Primary School, who became the first visitors to experience the work, followed by the pupils’ getting involved in their own creative responses with a digital drawing workshop in the gallery’s Drawing Studio. 

‘Placing children at the centre of this moment felt entirely fitting as we celebrate our 15th Anniversary,’ said Clarrie Wallis, Director of Turner Contemporary. ‘David Hockney’s work is rooted in the joy of looking at the world around us. To see local pupils encounter the Sunley Window before anyone else—and then respond through their own digital drawings—perfectly reflects our belief that great art should be both inspiring and accessible.’ 

Over the past fifteen years, initiatives such as Pioneering Places, Young Creatives, Art Inspiring Change and Look Club have supported young creatives, local families, environmental groups and vulnerable people across Thanet—helping to nurture creativity and strengthen Margate’s cultural identity.

And this year, we’ve transformed our Clore Learning Studio into the Drawing Studio—a space filled with books, objects, curiosities and materials where everyone can get involved and discover the joy of drawing—as we invite everyone to #GetDrawnIn. 

'The Drawing Studio is for everyone—a place to experiment, learn, slow down and enjoy the simple act of drawing.' said Toby Parkin, Head of Learning and Participation at Turner Contemporary.

Alongside our Drawing Studio comes a new sketchbook full of tips, ideas and activities to help you develop your drawing skills—whether you're in in the studio, at home, or out and about. 

Designed and printed here in Margate, you can pick up a copy in our gallery shop for just £2. 

Or download the online version at our link below.

Many generous donors and supporters also helped to create Turner Contemporary and have enabled our work over this time, from the realisation of our building and its day-to-day running to our exhibitions and public programme. We would like to thank Arts Council England and Kent County Council for their funding and commitment over the past 15 years, and we thank each and every one of our supporters for their commitment to our vision.

As Turner Contemporary enters its next chapter, we remain committed to championing artists, inspiring our community and making sure art plays a vital role in Margate’s future. At this moment of reflection, and consideration of the future we want everyone to be part of the journey, whether you visit an exhibition, take part in a workshop or support our work through donations, you’re helping to shape a more vibrant, inclusive future for Margate.