The site, part of the University of Cambridge, has been closed for two years for a major redevelopment. Now its doors have opened to new and improved galleries, education wing, and café and entrance area.

Arts Council England awarded the project £3.65m to create the new galleries. HLF awarded £2.5m with a focus on the education wing and outreach programme. National Lottery players made these grants possible.

[quote= Emily Chase, Kettle's Yard Learning and Engagement Officer]"I think it’s important that people know how much the (National) Lottery contributes to arts and culture and communities.” [/quote]

Private house to public treasure

Kettle’s Yard began as four ‘tumbledown’ cottages. Jim Ede, a former curator at the Tate Gallery, bought them with his wife Helen in 1956 and restored them as a home for his family and his art collection.

They opened their doors every weekday afternoon and gave tours to students who wanted to see the collection. Ten years later, the Ede’s gave Kettle’s Yard and its contents to the University of Cambridge.

Art and education

Kettle’s Yard continues to give people of all ages access to its fascinating collections and heritage – both modern and contemporary. The opening exhibition is ‘Actions: the image of the world can be different’ and features artists from different generation and across a variety of media and subjects.

The new education facility provides vital and flexible space for the gallery’s ambitious outreach programme. It is already proving popular, with more than 600 young people taking part in events there during the opening weekend.

Emily Chase, Learning and Engagement Officer at Kettle’s Yard, said: “We can now offer more to more diverse audiences on a larger scale. I think it’s important that people know how much the (National) Lottery contributes to arts and culture and communities.”

Discover more

Take a look at our interview with Emily to find out more about the future of Kettle’s Yard or visit the website to see what’s on.