I have supported the National Gallery through a membership for a year. So what’s the verdict?
First I don’t think there will be a Bellew Wing named in gratitude for my support; most disappointing but I can deal with it. Anyway these days such a tribute can be quickly erased when the wind changes. The opera house had to cancel the name of a major donor after he was disgraced. You may remember who but I have forgotten. Secondly, admission to the NG is free. Membership gives free admission to special exhibitions. For example the “Join the Dots” show costs £27, so £54 if one takes a friend. Membership costs £123 annually for two. Looked at rationally, transactionally, go twice and it is almost a zero sum game specially if you buy The Black Tulip and a small tin of fudge in the shop with 10% members’ discount, as I did.
But, oh joy, for £185 annually I can go to the special exhibitions and relax afterwards in Supporters’ House. The grey palette looks operatically gloomy – I’m thinking Jenufa maybe – but it isn’t crowded and there is food and drink in evidence. I can only speculate on the relationship between the models portrayed.
I used to support the Royal Academy and there too there was a members’ room. To begin with it was commodious (used to describe a room or house that has a lot of space) but when there was nowhere to sit it made me resign my entire membership and there’s the rub. Supporters’ House might work for me if there is light footfall, but that won’t work for the NG. To work for the NG it will alienate me.
But there is a fundamental reason why these dedicated spaces for subscribers are very undesirable. Don’t get me wrong, I like to see the riff-raff excluded but it depresses me that the NG is using space for supposedly fund raising that could be used to hang pictures. There are a few other photographs of Supporters’ House none of which show any pictures on the walls. If there were to be a few pictures by lesser known artists changing, say, twice a year it would be a reason to visit and at the same time get a bit of stuff out of storage and onto the walls. It is bad enough that there already are at least six shops, restaurants and cafes in the NG without taking up more valuable exhibition space. But, I almost forgot, the NG are raising money to build another extension for more shops with I suppose some walls for pictures.
My verdict: I will give up my membership when it comes up for renewal at the end of next year. If I want to add my widow’s mite I will contribute to The National Gallery Trust (income circa £8 million) and benefit from the tax break.