Tate Britain opens archives

The Hyman Kreitman Research Centre opens on Wednesday, fulfilling a longstanding aim of the Tate to increase public access to its substantial research resources. Funded by a £2.2 million donation by the Kreitman foundation, the new centre offers an increased number of places for users and for the first time brings together the Tate's existing library and archive collections (including Picasso on the beach at Juan-les Pins, right).

Such treasures as Turner's palette, Sickert's painting overalls and the actual ribbon worn by Degas' celebrated sculpture, 'Little Dancer' are among the unique objects that form part of a collection of over a million archival items.

The facility is limited to 40 readers per day and access is by appointment and for reference only.

Hyman Kreitman Research Centre, from Wed 1 May, Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1 (020-7887 8838).