The Sainsbury Centre, an art museum in Norwich, England, has received a £91.2 million donation from British politician and businessman David Sainsbury through his charitable foundation, Gatsby. The funds will be used to renovate the grade II* listed building, originally designed by Norman Foster and completed in 1978. The renovation, led by Foster + Partners, includes improvements to the building envelope, photovoltaic panels, and upgraded visitor facilities, aiming to halve the museum's energy use and support the University of East Anglia's net zero campus goal by 2045.
This gift is one of the largest ever made to a UK museum, securing the future of a landmark modernist building that has faced costly upkeep challenges. The Sainsbury Centre houses the renowned collection of Robert and Lisa Sainsbury, featuring works by Picasso, Degas, Bacon, and Moore, alongside global cultural objects. The donation underscores the enduring philanthropic legacy of the Sainsbury family in British art and architecture, while addressing urgent sustainability and accessibility needs for the next generation of visitors.