Tate and MOMA in joint Web deal

The Tate Gallery and New York’s Museum of Modern Art are in talks with Web design groups for its joint e-commerce initiative next year.

According to a London spokeswoman for the Tate Gallery, a number of designers from both sides of the Atlantic have already been seen in relation to the project, although no appointment has been made.

Following the success of the New York gallery’s current on-line retail initiative, the two modern art organisations are now in the midst of forming a joint venture Internet company, which is, as yet, unnamed.

However, the extent of opportunities for UK-based design consultancies is still uncertain. Groups such as Nykris Digital Design, which recenty created the Tate’s own website (DW 31 March) and The Attik, which has collaborated with MOMA in San Francisco, do not yet appear to be in the frame.

The planned website will provide access to the most cutting edge developments in the visual, applied and performing arts in the UK, the US and around the world. The new website will be headquartered in New York and is designed to generate extra agreed revenue to finance the activities of both museums.

The galleries have agreed to create an independent for-profit e-business. The website will be promoted as a premier destination for individuals to access as part of the galleries’ expanded association project.

The site is expected to include information on gallery membership, education, retail and publishing programmes, as well as staff exchanges.