The National Gallery is governed by the Museum and Galleries Act 1992, under which it has charitable status but is exempt from the need to register with the Charity Commission.

Status

The Gallery is a non-departmental public body, whose sponsor body is the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The Director of the National Gallery is also the Accounting Officer appointed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Governance

The Gallery is governed by a Board of Trustees. The establishment, constitution, functions and property etc. of the Board of Trustees can be found in Section 1 to the Museums and Galleries Act 1992. The general functions of the Board of Trustees can be found in Section 2 to the Museums and Galleries Act 1992.

Role

The National Gallery houses the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries. It is on show 361 days a year, free of charge.