FOI2025/01458 : Government Art Collection - Information about Artworks in Security Buildings
Response to a freedom of information request for artworks in security buildings.
Documents
Details
| Reference number | FOI2025-01458 |
|---|---|
| Date of request | 7 February 2025 |
| Date of response | 19 March 2025 |
| Outcome | Granted in full |
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport received the following request for information which we responded to under the Freedom of Information Act 2000:
“I would like to request a list of artworks from the Government Art Collection which are currently displayed in the following government buildings or on loan to the following government agencies:
Security Service (MI5) Thames House, London.
Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), Vauxhall Cross, London
Government Communications Headquarters, Cheltenham.”
Our response
We have dealt with your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. I can confirm that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport does have information within scope of your request. Artworks currently displayed in the requested buildings can be found in the attached spreadsheets named:
● FOI 202501458 - GCHQ Cheltenham
● FOI 202501458 - Vauxhall Cross
● FOI 202501458 - Thames House
The Government Art Collection (GAC) promotes British art, culture and creativity through displays in UK Government buildings worldwide. It is the most widely distributed collection of British art, with displays in over 125 countries, and makes an important contribution to the UK’s cultural diplomacy through being seen by thousands of visitors to these buildings each year.
The Government Art Collection is a working collection, used across government buildings in the UK and the global estate, which means that artworks may change their display location from time to time in response to new display steers and requests.