We always try to respond positively to requests to borrow works of art from the Collection for display in temporary or long-term public exhibitions in the UK and abroad, providing the security and environmental conditions of the proposed location are acceptable.

Initial requests to borrow works from the Collection should be sent to:

Penny Johnson
Director
Government Art Collection
Department for Culture, Media & Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
London SW1Y 5DH
e-mail: gac@culture.gov.uk
fax: 020 7580 9130

We will respond to loan requests within 18 working days.

Potential borrowers are asked to bear in mind that the vast majority of the GAC’s holdings are, at any one time, off the premises and on display in several hundred Government buildings in the UK and around the world.

We charge no administration fee for lending works from the Collection. However, if a requested work of art is located abroad the GAC reserves the right to charge all transport costs to the borrower. This includes the cost of transporting the work to the exhibition venue and returning the work to its original location. In certain circumstances the borrower may also be charged for conservation and reframing of the requested work at cost price.

The availability of a work of art for exhibition is dependent on several factors including geographical location and its condition. There is no minimum notice period for requests. However, in order to assist the GAC’s forward planning activities, as much notice as possible would be appreciated.