Eastbourne art gallery receives £1.6 million in funding

Joe Hill, Towner CEO and director, said: “Today’s news will allow us to continue to develop our ambitions to grow inclusive access to arts and culture. This encompasses our plans to strengthen local partnerships and to develop artist opportunities, skills development and training initiatives and engagement activities for children and adults, including those from Eastbourne’s most disadvantaged communities.

“We look forward to welcoming regular and first time visitors to the gallery and the town as we mark our centenary year in 2023 through a range of activities including hosting the world’s leading art prize, the Turner Prize. We appreciate Arts Council England’s recognition of Towner Eastbourne today but also recognise that the coming years will not be easy for many artists and those in the arts, including some of our partners, friends and colleagues. We look forward to continuing to work in collaboration across the region and beyond to realise shared ambitions and goals and to support artists and the sector in the difficult times we all currently find ourselves in.”

Hazel Edwards, from Arts Council England, said, “As a vital source of cultural provision and creative opportunity across Eastbourne, Newhaven, Seaford, and other coastal areas towns, we are pleased to increase our support for Towner Eastbourne through our 2023-26 Investment Programme. Our increased funding will support Towner Eastbourne to continue its fantastic work delivering a year-round programme of exhibitions and learning and participation activity in Eastbourne.”

MP Caroline Ansell said: “I am really pleased our town has received this substantial and vital support from the government. Eastbourne is again at the forefront of minds when it comes to investment in key areas like this that attract visitors and I make it my business in parliament to put our town on the map.”

Nationally 990 organisations have been offered £446 million per annum in funding over the next three years.

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