Louise Bourgeois display to launch ‘Artist Rooms’ gallery at Tate

In 2009 the Artist Rooms programme was launched when art dealer and collector Anthony d'Offay gave a huge art collection to Tate and the National Galleries of Scotland on the understanding that they would make it available to galleries around the UK to show in small single-artist exhibitions.

The project, under the name Artist Rooms, has now toured to 76 museums and galleries across the UK.

Speaking on Thursday morning, Tate director Sir Nicholas Serota described Artist Rooms as "the most important gift of art ever made to this nation".

When Tate Modern's extension opens to the public this summer, the Artist Rooms collection will have a permanent gallery in the Switch House. The first artist to be showcased in the new space will be Louise Bourgeois.

"Louise Bourgeois of course was very present when we opened Tate Modern and she will be very present when we open the new Tate Modern," said Sir Nicholas.