Response: Government Art Collection
Published 12 December 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foi202509658-government-art-collection-installed-and-de-installed-artworks/response-government-art-collection
FOI2025 - 09658:
Response to Freedom of Information request for
| Reference number | FOI2025-09658 |
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| Date of request | 3 October 2025 |
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| Date of response | 23 October 2025 |
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| Outcome | Granted in full |
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The Department for Culture, Media and Sport received the following request for information which we responded to under the Freedom of Information Act 2000:
“Can you please provide spreadsheets listing all the artworks that have:
been a) installed and b) de-installed removed
Since July 5 2024, up to date In the following places:
Number 10 Downing Street
Number 11 Downing street
The FCDO main building on King Charles Street
The Home Office at 2 Marsham Street
Ministry of Defence Main Building
Can spreadsheets be provided for each location listing a) what has been removed since that date (and remains removed) and b) what has been installed since that date
Can these lists include the name of the artwork and GAC reference number if possible.”
1. Our response
We have dealt with your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act). I can confirm that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport does have information within scope of your request. Data in scope can be found in the attached spreadsheet.
Works of art are selected for display in representational areas of UK Government buildings by representatives of each department in consultation with GAC staff. This ensures that high-profile visitors experience British art that showcases the culture, creativity and values of contemporary Britain.
Background
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.
Number 10 Downing Street is administered separately from Number 11 Downing Street. The former are administered by the Cabinet Office, while the latter is administered by His Majesty’s Treasury.