Our mission is to increase the public’s enjoyment and understanding of art. When Tate first opened its doors to the public in 1897 it had just one gallery, displaying a small collection of British artworks. Today we have four major galleries and the national collection of British art from 1500 to the present day and international modern and contemporary art, which includes nearly 80,000 artworks. Tate is a public institution owned by, and existing for, the public.