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Sainsbury Museum and Art Centre receives major donation to revitalise our very special building
May 2026
We are thrilled to announce we are receiving a major landmark donation to revitalise our very special building!
The Sainsbury Museum and Art Centre has received a major donation from Lord David Sainsbury through Gatsby, his charitable foundation, to enhance the future of this much-loved museum and protect its legacy.
This marks one of the largest ever donations made to a UK museum and will enhance the Sainsbury Centre, a grade II* listed architectural icon in Norwich, as it approaches its 50th anniversary.
Lord David Sainsbury, said: “My father always regarded his commissioning of Norman Foster to produce the Sainsbury Museum and Art Centre as one of the best things he ever did, and it gives me great pleasure to provide the funding to enhance its future.”
(left to right) Sir Robert Sainsbury, Lord Norman Foster and Lady Lisa Sainsbury at the Sainsbury Centre. Copyright: Sainsbury Centre
This exciting project will allow us to safeguard the museum for the future and make significant enhancements to the sustainability of the building through environmental technology, creating a greener Sainsbury Museum and Art Centre for the future. Innovative photovoltaic panels will be incorporated into our roof, allowing renewable energy to be generated on site, in addition to many more improvements.
The space will also be revitalised for present and future generations of visitors. We will introduce renewed entrances, lifts, signage and flooring, while solar controlled blinds will bring more natural light into the gallery spaces. We will also upgrade the bathrooms, café, kitchen, and spaces for staff.
Norman Foster meeting Jago Cooper, Director of the Sainsbury Museum and Art Centre. Copyright: Nigel Young / Foster + Partner
Sainsbury Museum and Art Centre’s Executive Director, Jago Cooper said: “This incredible gift secures the future of the Sainsbury Centre. Foster’s vision for the most radical art museum in the world half a century ago is being revitalised for the next generation of visitors. Long into the future the public can experience one of the best art collections in the world in an architectural wonder that breaks the museum rules.”