Nottingham Contemporary’s first year a success with record visitor figures

Vice Chairman of Nottingham Contemporary and Geldards’ Partner David Tilly has expressed his delight after the gallery saw a 45% increase on the projected visitor figure of 200,000, to 290,000, as it celebrated its first anniversary on Sunday 14 November 2010.

Nottingham Contemporary is widely regarded as one of the most exciting galleries in the country, in or out of London - with a large local audience and a strong involvement with the concerns of its home city.

The gallery, housed in an iconic green and gold lace patterned building designed by Caruso St John in the city’s historic Lace Market, has generated huge enthusiasm from the art world and the general public alike.

Highlights of the first year’s exhibition programme have included: the first survey of the early works of David Hockney for nearly 40 years; Star City: The Future Under Communism, a major exhibition inspired by science fiction and futurology under Communism, featuring many of the leading artists of the post-communist European art scene; and the current exhibition, British Art Show 7: In the Days of the Comet – the first time the major Hayward Touring review, held every five years, has opened in Nottingham.

Speaking at an Invest in Nottingham event held at Nottingham Contemporary, David Tilly said “ We all know how important it is for our businesses that Nottingham is seen to be an attractive place to live and work, and the major contribution that Nottingham Contemporary is making to the city's reputation, both within the UK and internationally. We have a world class asset here in Nottingham that we need to nurture and cherish"