The Tate Modern’s 25th anniversary is the perfect occasion to reflect on the museum’s far-reaching influence in the art world and beyond . Through its groundbreaking exhibitions, support for emerging artists, and commitment to engaging diverse audiences, the Tate Modern has firmly established itself as a cultural leader—one that challenges and inspires the way we view contemporary art.
Scala is proud to have partnered with the Tate over the years to license and distribute images from both Tate Modern and Tate Britain across several European countries including Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Poland, and Russia.
In May 2025, London’s Tate Modern will celebrate its 25th anniversary—marking a quarter-century of shaping the global landscape of contemporary art.
Since opening on the 11th of May 2000, the museum has become a landmark institution, not just transforming the South Bank of London but also revolutionizing the public’s relationship with art.
Turning the former Bankside Power Station into a modern art museum was a bold and visionary move. The Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron led the transformation, preserving the building’s industrial character while reimagining it as an innovative space for contemporary art. From day one, Tate Modern has challenged the very concept of what a museum can be—thanks in part to unique spaces like the Turbine Hall, which has hosted some of the world’s most ambitious large-scale installations and become a symbol of the dialogue between industrial architecture and contemporary creativity.
Before becoming a hub for contemporary art, the site of today’s Tate Modern was home to Bankside Power Station, a massive thermal power plant along the southern bank of the Thames in the heart of London’s Southwark district.
Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott—also responsible for Battersea Power Station and the iconic red British telephone box—the building was constructed in phases between 1947 and 1963. It stands as a striking example of postwar monumental industrial architecture. Its dark brick structure stretches over 200 meters, dominated by a 99-meter tower that functioned as both a chimney and a modernist reinterpretation of a Gothic bell tower. From an art-historical perspective, the building is a rare blend of engineering function and aesthetic vision. Scott created a design with classical symmetry and minimalist volume—an unintentional precursor to the visual language of minimalism that would define much of contemporary art from the 1960s onward.
Discover the gallery of images of the building before and after.
Just five years after opening, Tate Modern had already become the UK’s third most visited tourist destination, generating an estimated £100 million in economic impact—much of which directly benefited the Southwark area. Its success sparked a wave of urban regeneration, transforming the South Bank into a vibrant cultural district.
The opening of the Millennium Bridge in June 2000—just weeks after Tate Modern welcomed its first visitors—was another key moment in reshaping the city’s cultural geography. Designed by Norman Foster in collaboration with sculptor Sir Anthony Caro and engineers Arup, the sleek steel pedestrian bridge seems to float across the Thames. Its minimal silhouette blends seamlessly into the skyline, offering a unique and immersive urban experience.
The bridge connects St. Paul’s Cathedral—a symbol of London’s baroque heritage—with Tate Modern and the revitalized Bankside neighborhood. This physical and visual link, once unimaginable, beautifully represents the dialogue between past and present, between historical legacy and contemporary innovation.
Click here to see some pictures by Manuel Cohen of this area.
To mark its milestone anniversary, Tate Modern is hosting a free “Birthday Weekender” from May 9–12, 2025. The event features live music, performances, talks, and workshops—all inspired by the museum’s renowned permanent collection. A major highlight will be the return of Louise Bourgeois‘ iconic spider sculpture, Maman, to the Turbine Hall, where it was first displayed back in 2000.
Coinciding with the celebrations, Tate Modern will unveil two new free exhibitions: A Year in Art: 2050, exploring artistic visions of the future, and Gathering Ground, which focuses on contemporary art shaped by ecological and social themes. These shows reflect the museum’s ongoing commitment to addressing today’s most pressing issues through the lens of art.
Karin Hindsbo, Director of Tate Modern, emphasizes the importance of pushing artistic boundaries and creating a platform for the next generation of artists. The 25th anniversary is not only a time to look back—but also a chance to imagine what’s next for the future of contemporary art..
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In the cover Tate Modern at night – TG02447
