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An illustration of a large brick building, surrounded by cobbled paths. People are sitting, walking and moving around the site. Some are drawing and reading. There are plants in the foreground and landscaped gardens. There is a round building on the left hand side and a one floor story building at the back of the image.

Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration is the UK’s first and only charity for illustration – art that tells stories.

We are hard at work restoring a former waterworks in Clerkenwell, London. We will open there in 2026.

Coming soon

A new landmark for illustration in Clerkenwell, London

Coming soon

Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration will open in 2026 in Clerkenwell, London
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Illustration of a person on a ladder drawing on the wall

The project

Quentin Blake set out to create the UK’s national centre for illustration in 2002
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Illustration of children playing

Current community projects

Collaborations with our local community are shaping plans for our opening
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Illustration of people sitting on a terrace and gardening outside a brick building

Make your mark

Help us to transform a derelict heritage site into galleries, studios and gardens
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Black and white photograph of industrial brick buildings reflected in a pond in the foreground

History

Discover the story of the New River Head, the site that will become our home
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Animation of a blueprint folding up into a 3D model

Why illustration?

We're here for illustration, but what is it?
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Illustration collections

Explore drawings, posters, books and more from collections across the UK
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