NEW GALLERY SCHEME TO GO AHEAD

Work on Newlyn Art Gallery’s long-awaited development scheme is set to begin this winter, now that £3m funding has finally been obtained. The planned scheme will refurbish the historic and much loved gallery at Newlyn, adding an extension and improving the entrance area. The other half of the project is the creation of an exciting new gallery space and education facility, plus a Gallery Shop and café, on the ground floor of the old Telephone Exchange building in the heart of Penzance.

While Newlyn will build on its own high reputation for exhibitions and learning programmes, the Exchange will be a bright new landmark for Penzance, offering local, national and international showings and learning opportunities open to all. Artists and makers who live and work in Cornwall will gain a flagship venue to be proud of.
The funding has been agreed for these two schemes on the basis of sensitive and imaginative designs produced by the architects MUMA: Stuart McKnight, Simon Usher and Gillian McInnes. Planning permissions were obtained back in early 2004, but raising the necessary capital funding has taken a long time. With substantial contributions from the Arts Lottery Capital Programme and the European Regional Development Fund’s Objective One Programme, most of the £3m required will come from those two sources. Penwith District Council had the vision and commitment to give substantial support to this project from the very beginning, and their support was the key to the main funding.

Thanks to the far-sighted vision and generosity of three private Trusts – the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Headley Trust and the Foyle Foundation, a further £150,000 was secured. Cornwall County Council also contributed to complete the funding package and two more sources joined the list with funds targeted for the Newlyn scheme - the Heritage Lottery Fund, supporting a special heritage project, and the Foundation for Sport and the Arts.

Detailed design work has been carried out and both projects will be offered for tender this winter. If all goes well, construction work could begin in January 2006. The target date for the launch of both galleries is February 2007. Chairman Charles Hancock says: ‘The Gallery has waited a long time for this and is full of dynamic plans for the programme in the future. These generous capital grants will enable us to serve our public well in two fine buildings. ‘

Newlyn Art Gallery is a publicly funded contemporary gallery running a programme of exhibitions and education work. It has a high reputation as a venue for the best work by artists who live and work in Cornwall, as well as national and international projects. It presents a wide range of current art with education and interpretation for all ages and abilities. It works in partnership with local schools and colleges, galleries, museums, and groups including the Newlyn Society of Artists. It is a partner in St Ives International, delivering major arts projects in West Cornwall.

The capital project will enable the gallery management to develop with better, more flexible gallery space and effective education facilities. This will enable it to play a significant role in attracting new audiences, both local and visiting, giving better service and supporting a wide range of artists and makers who live and work in Cornwall, by sales, education work and professional development opportunities.

The many and varied outcomes of a flagship for current art that can stand at national level while sited in the far south west, contribute to more than cultural activity: economic regeneration is aided and sustained, jobs and working opportunities are created and sustained, tourism and inward investment are encouraged.

For information about the Gallery, see www.newlynartgallery.co.uk

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