£1.6 million has been announced for the UK's first permanent mobile museum, which will bring art to people across the country.

£800,000 comes from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which is being matched by arts access charity Art Explora.

The funding will be used to build a state-of-the-art vehicle and tour three national collections per year, including the Government Art Collection (GAC). Designed by renowned British architect Ab Rogers.

The Government Art Collection was established in 1899 and is a national collection of historic, modern and contemporary British art that is displayed in government buildings in the UK and around the world

This will be the first dedicated mobile museum in the country and is part of the Culture Secretary’s plan to ensure arts are available everywhere for everyone.

Starting in 2027, Art Explora will tour the new mobile museum with three 12-week exhibitions each year.

GAC artworks will feature in one exhibition annually, with national and regional partners including the National Portrait Gallery, Leeds Art Gallery, Birmingham Museums Trust and National Museums Liverpool among other national museums delivering the remaining programme.

Before the launch, a three-month pilot tour will take place in the South West and North West with an existing mobile museum.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: "I am determined that great art isn’t just for the few but for everyone, no matter where they live. The Government Art Collection belongs to the whole country, and this tour is an exciting step towards making that a reality. 

"By taking the collection directly into communities, to parks, schools, libraries and public squares, we’re breaking down the barriers that have kept people from experiencing the art that belongs to everyone. This is what ‘Arts Everywhere’ really means in practice, and I’m proud that we’re making it happen."

Jemima Montagu, Director, Art Explora, said: "There remains a growing gap between those who have access to museums, galleries and arts venues, and those who are left behind. Art Explora is trying to bridge this divide by taking art into the heart of communities and sharing our rich national collections more widely. The new UK Mobile Museum is a stunning piece of design and engineering which will itself be a source of wonder and inspiration wherever it goes. A tardis for the 21st century!"