Tate Modern to celebrate 25 years of transformative art
Tate Modern will commemorate its 25th anniversary with a weekend of free events and exhibitions in May 2025.
Installation photography, Louise Bourgeois, Maman, Tate Modern 2000. Photo: Tate Photography.
Tate Modern, the world’s most popular museum of modern and contemporary art, will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a spectacular weekend of free events from 9 to 12 May 2025. Visitors will enjoy live performances, pop-up talks, guided tours, and a drop-in making studio as part of UNIQLO Tate Play. Inspired by Tate Modern’s free collection, the festivities will also feature exclusive food and drink offerings, embodying the gallery’s dynamic spirit and commitment to transforming how art is experienced.
The celebration will bring together new additions to Tate’s collection and iconic works from its history. Louise Bourgeois’s monumental sculpture Maman will return to the Turbine Hall for the first time in 25 years, while a curated trail of 25 key works will guide visitors through the building. Highlights include Mark Rothko’s Seagram murals and Dorothea Tanning’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, alongside contemporary installations such as Nalini Malani’s multi-screen film and Meschac Gaba’s live tarot readings. Catherine Wood, Director of Programme, described the trail as a journey through Tate Modern’s 25 years of pushing artistic boundaries.
Installation photography, Mark Rothko's Seagram Murals at Tate Modern, 2009. Photo: Tate.
Two new free exhibitions will debut in time for the anniversary weekend. A Year in Art: 2050 (opening 5 May 2025) explores futuristic themes with works by artists like Umberto Boccioni and Ayoung Kim, while Gathering Ground (29 January 2025) examines ecological and social justice through international contemporary art. Featuring recent acquisitions and a participatory installation by Abbas Zahedi, these exhibitions reflect Tate Modern’s enduring influence on art and society. As Director Karin Hindsbo noted, the anniversary offers a chance to celebrate the museum’s legacy while imagining its bold future.
Date: 9 - 10 May 2025, 10 am - 10pm; 11 - 12 May 2025, 10am – 6pm. Location: Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG. Price: Free. tate.org.uk.
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