Students at Chelsea College of Art and Design, which has just moved to a stunning new home next to the Tate Britain on London’s Millbank, will be getting intimate with their new neighbours when they curate the Late At Tate Britain event on Friday 4 February.

Students at the world-renowned College decided to take the task of exploring their new relationship with the great art institution literally, organising a speed-dating session for visitors to the gallery. They will also try to encapsulate the fusion between the future names of art and design with the established greats at Tate Britain with mobile DJs in shopping trolleys, singing and drumming workshops, and human architecture, with students forming a human wall around the Tate bar. Outside, spotlights will link the two buildings, while a barrel organ played by a musician in period costume will recall the College site’s history as military property and prison.

The evening will take place as two internationally acclaimed former Chelsea students are exhibiting in the gallery – the eminent British sculptor Anthony Caro, and sculptor, filmmaker and photographer Mariele Neudecker.

The event is the first of a series of planned joint events between Chelsea College and Tate Britain. The developing relationship of the two great art institutions promises to give London an exciting new cultural quarter on Millbank.

Chelsea College of Art and Design is part of University of the Arts London, the only university dedicated to art, design, communication and performance in the UK. The College has trained many of the leading names in the arts, including Gavin Turk, Quentin Blake, Anthony Caro, Dirk Bogarde, and Turner Prize winners Anish Kapoor, Chris Ofili, Gillian Wearing, Steve McQueen and Richard Deacon.

Chelsea student Eva Sykes said:
“Chelsea College of Art and Design has always stood for challenging accepted ideas and pushing new agendas. This has been a fantastic opportunity to work with one of the most important art establishments in the country, and produce something new and exciting that Londoners can experience for themselves.”

Sir Michael Bichard, Rector of University of the Arts London, said:
“Chelsea’s move to Millbank is a momentous occasion for University of the Arts London. The students who have emerged from our five Colleges have always gone on to blaze a trail for art, design and the creative industries. Chelsea’s move places our staff and students next to the great names in Tate Britain, and gives us a real place on London’s creative map.”

Stephen Deuchar, Director of Tate Britain, said:
“We are delighted that Chelsea will now sit alongside Tate Britain at Millbank, and asking Chelsea students to curate Late at Tate Britain has given us the first of what we hope will be many opportunities to work with our new neighbours.”