THE AUCKLAND PROJECT ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP Wednesday, 10 January 2018

The Auckland Project is delighted to announce a partnership with the prestigious Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando (Real Academia) in Madrid.

Founded in 1752 by King Fernando VI as an Academy of Arts, the Real Academia now contains a museum and exceptional art collection spanning over five centuries.

United by a shared vision to promote the history of Spanish arts and culture, the partnership will see a specially curated group of works from the Real Academia collection placed on long-term loan at the Spanish Gallery, due to open in Bishop Auckland Market Place in 2019. Short-term loans from the Real Academia, joined by works from The Zurbarán Trust, will also enable an expansive programme of temporary exhibitions at the gallery.

In addition, the partnership will involve the two institutions collaborating on innovative academic research at the Real Academia and The Zurbarán Centre, furthering their common aim to raise public and critical engagement with Spanish art history. The Zurbarán Centre, a world-class research facility, which is a joint venture with Durham University, will open later this year in Bishop Auckland Market Place.

Dr. Edward Payne, Senior Curator: Spanish Art said: “We have long wanted to collaborate on a project with the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, with whom we share a profound interest in Spanish art and culture. Both organisations have a mutual desire to bring Spanish art to as wide an audience as possible, particularly in an educational setting, and we are delighted to establish this partnership.”