An audacious bid to bring the Tate to Perth as a cultural attraction to rival the V&A in Dundee was launched by a high-powered group representing business and the arts, The Courier can reveal.
Scotland’s leading art figure Richard Demarco was among those to back the plan to lure a major museum or art gallery north to establish a satellite base in the Fair City.
The intention was to use the vacant Perth City Hall.
A series of visits and a great deal of hard work and effort was put into interesting the Tate in coming to Perth, according to the Very Rev Hunter Farquharson of St Ninian’s Cathedral in Perth, another member of the group behind the scheme.
“The Tate was one gallery we looked at as a possibility. It would certainly have given Perth some sort of international standing,” he said.
“A number of people tried, worked very hard to make it work.
“It was an idea that we ran with, it did get some way. Sadly, it became difficult to keep going with it. I am sad it did not take off.
While this project has stalled, Mr Demarco is adamant Perth must capitalise on the opportunities the new V&A will bring to the whole area.
“I want to see the world’s artists who normally go to Edinburgh and now Dundee to find a good reason to come to Perth. I support any idea, any project which will add an extra dimension to the cultural life of Perth.”
A spokesman for the Tate confirmed: “There are no plans to open another Tate.”