The Tate galleries are undoubtedly some of the most famous and celebrated museums in the world. And with its lack of stolen antiquities and transparency in the philanthropy it associates itself with – including acknowledging the origins of the Tate family’s wealth – the collections are definitely part of my faves in London.
If you love art, there are lots of advantages to having a Tate gallery membership. You get all the privileges of free access to special exhibitions, exclusive invites to member-only hours (and previews too, depending on your membership), and member discounts at the Tate shops and cafes. Plus, being a member supports the Tate galleries’ impressive programming and exhibitions – all for £7 per month.
But is it actually worth it, or just another unnecessary expense in this never-ending cost-of-living crisis? Let’s look at what you’re actually getting…
Free exhibitions whenever you want
If you’re like me and love rocking up to galleries whenever the mood takes you rather than planning ahead, this one is for you. You literally just stroll in, member card in hand (or on Apple Watch, like my high-tech self), and come and go as you please, with no entry fees.
It’s like an all-you-can-eat buffet, but for your eyes and soul (I know – just let me have the cringe, please).
Sometimes I like to take my time with certain exhibitions, popping back in to look at things a second time later on, or occasionally just to revisit at a quieter time when I don’t have to dodge pushchairs and tourists.
The only exception to this is the Yayoi Kusuma exhibition, which you need to book even if you’re a member. I actually became a member just to book an exhibition + lunch slot on my birthday and, to be honest, the Infinity Mirror Rooms were underwhelming. But I fully enjoyed the other exhibitions for the rest of the year, and I’m still enjoying them!
The Tate always has something interesting going on, from classic and contemporary British art to some, frankly, out-there modern stuff. Of course, it’s free for everyone to visit the permanent collections, but I’ve seen hella interesting and unexpected pieces in the collections since I’ve joined.
And considering it costs somewhere between £12-£20 for every paid exhibition, you’re already saving money once you’ve seen a few.
VIP vibes in exclusive members’ spaces
Now, let’s chat about the members’ spaces.
Once you’ve been wandering around, soaking in all that art, and you’re starting to feel a bit gallery-fatigued, the members’ spaces are usually a cosy, quiet corner to recharge in.
Except if you go there at the weekend or during the gallery Lates – then it’s a buzzy place for catching up with old friends. But, I mean, why would you go to a gallery on a weekend afternoon or late evening if you’re looking for peace and quiet?
I haven’t yet visited the new first floor members’ bar at the Tate Modern (02/08/2024 edit: I have been several times since and it’s now my favourite members’ space), but the fifth floor members bar has great views if you can grab a space on the terrace on a sunny day. Though, I admit, the best view is from the restaurant upstairs, which is open to everyone.
The members’ room at Tate Britain is spacious and has a separate wing/room you can work in during the week if it’s not booked for an event. I have a Member + Guest membership, so I often take friends or new business acquaintances for 1-2-1 catch-ups at either members’ space – they’re usually quiet enough for a chilled conversation.
The only negative mark I’d give here is the fact the food is expensive, even with the member discount. And the choices are somewhat… uninspiring (they’re the same as the public cafe). But I’ve definitely seen people taking in their own food – you’re allowed to!
If I’m visiting during one of the super early weekend members hours, I’ll usually bring a pastry to go with my post-exhibition coffee. The gallery’s own brew, roasted onsite at Tate Britain, is honestly A++ and well worth it. If I could be bothered to faff around with refillable Nespresso pods, their take-home bags would be a good shout – but ain’t nobody got time for that, so I’ll happily buy a cappuccino or two every visit.
All in all, the members’ rooms are very decent exclusive spaces minus the snootiness (most of the time, because certain people still be people-ing *sigh*), so you could just chill in the room with a coffee or glass of wine and a book. You may well bump into me in there doing just that.
The Tate Etc. magazine and Members Guide
Onto the Members Guide. Every season, the Tate sends out an A5 guide to give you a teaser of all the exhibitions coming up in the next season, plus details of all the member’s hours and private views.
It’s quite useful for reminding you to take advantage of your membership. Again, there are so many cool events like DJ Lates and food or drink pairing events to go to, so when mine comes in I pencil the interesting ones in my diary to check out with my partner – otherwise, I’d be useless about checking the website and would probably forget to do anything with it, making it a lot less value for money!
Then there’s the Tate magazine, worth £9.50 per quarter, which is literally a glossy magazine on par with something like Vogue or GQ. Artist interviews, sneak peeks at upcoming shows, deep dives into the art scene – it’s all there.
And let’s be real, it’s a decent magazine to have displayed on your coffee table if you want to look like a bougie art connoisseur.
My verdict
If you’re always at the galleries and can afford it, then a Tate membership is absolutely worth it. You’ll save on exhibition fees, get some decent member-only perks (including chilled places to work remotely from), and stay informed about the art world through the magazine.
Even if you go for the top-tier membership where you can take three guests in with you and get access to the private views for £17.50 per month, it’s still cheaper than a £30 monthly Pret subscription.
But if you’re just a once-in-a-blue-moon visitor, you should think twice about how much you’ll really use it. You might be better off getting an Art Fund membership instead, which gives 50% off exhibition tickets at the Tate galleries and elsewhere.
So, what do you think? Ready to join the club?
