28 February 2023: Heart of London’s consumer art initiative Art of London has today announced Art After Dark in partnership with The Crown Estate, Mayfair Art Weekend and Westminster City Council.

Art After Dark is Art of London’s latest public art programme which will enable members of the public to experience headline exhibitions at major galleries as part of their night out in the West End. There will be three scheduled instalments throughout the year with the official launch taking place on Thursday 23 and Friday 24 March 2023.

Art of London has united galleries with independent art hosts across the West End to deliver this programme. Thursday will feature some of London’s most acclaimed independent galleries including the White Cube, 3812 Gallery and Stern Pissarro, while on Friday members of the public can visit the Royal Academy of Arts as well as the National Gallery. The National Portrait Gallery will feature in the second instalment of Art After Dark this summer.

Art After Dark is also set to unveil a trail of illuminated immersive art installations in Piccadilly Circus, St James’s Market and St James’s Churchyard to signpost the galleries participating in the new culture programme.

Mark Williams, Director of Art of London, said: “Art of London is thrilled to unite the West End’s leading institutions and galleries for this late-night culture programme, on a scale never done before. Art After Dark opens up the art world to a new generation of night owls, who can now experience incredible exhibitions alongside their visits to the West End’s best restaurants and bars.” 

Ros Lawler, Chief Operating Officer at the National Portrait Gallery, said: “The National Portrait Gallery will be welcoming visitors back through its new doors on 22 June, and in our reopening year, we’re delighted to be working with the Art of London team to give visitors even more access to our exhibitions, Collections, shop and restaurants, out of hours.” 

For further information, please visit Art of London | Art of London.

Launched in 2021, Art of London showcases art in every form and looks to highlight the plethora of art and cultural activities available in the West End to new and existing audiences.

Image Credit: ‘In Plain Sight’ by MTArt Artist BCW, 2021 for Inside Out by Art of London