What are the plans being discussed for Charleston in Lewes at the March meeting of Lewes District Cabinet?
Charleston is a local heritage and arts charity that is seeking a 25-year lease of Southover House. Over the past 18 months Charleston has created a new vibrant cultural centre for the district, offered free learning programmes to local schools and colleges, supported small creative businesses, and contributed to the local economy. A longer lease enables the charity to secure further investment to sustain and grow these benefits, including plans to establish a National Bloomsbury Gallery in partnership with Tate, V&A, and the National Portrait Gallery.
What kind of exhibitions are held at Charleston in Lewes?
A: Charleston in Lewes hosts many exhibitions a year including leading contemporary artists as well as exhibitions about the Bloomsbury group, an internationally-significant group of artists, writers and intellectuals who lived in the district in the last century. The inaugural exhibition was "Bring No Clothes: Bloomsbury and Fashion," exploring the Bloomsbury group's influence on fashion. Subsequent exhibitions have included exhibitions with works by Picasso, Modigliani, Lee Miller and Grayson Perry.
How many people have visited Charleston in Lewes since it opened in September 2023?
111,431 people have visited.
What community projects are offered at Charleston in Lewes?
Charleston in Lewes offers a free programme of co-produced community projects, artist-led workshops, and gallery activities for families, young people, and other community groups. Charleston in Lewes also house the Creative Skills Studio for 800 East Sussex College students offering meaningful work experience opportunities. Charleston continues partnership work with Tenants of Lewes District, Family Support Work, and Lewes District Council's tenant involvement team to offer free artist-led family workshops during the school holidays.
How many residents have participated in workshops?
Over 2,000 residents have taken part in workshops since September 2023.
How many teachers have participated in artist-led training programmes?
Teachers from 22 primary and secondary schools, colleges, special schools and alternative provision schools in East Sussex have participated in artist-led training programmes.
How many visitors have entered free of charge?
41% of visitors have accessed the exhibitions for free or with subsidised tickets. Entry to Charleston in Lewes is always free for all under-18s. More than 3,000 visitors and residents have attended an exhibition on a monthly Pay What You Can day. Lewes District Council will be working with the charity to expand free access for local residents with a commitment to have a minimum of 52 days a year free for residents. Gallery 2 for the spring/summer season this year is free for everyone, every day.
How does the Pay What You Can day work?
Pay What You Can days take place on the last Sunday of every month for temporary exhibitions at Charleston in Lewes. To participate, simply turn up on the day and choose how much you would like to donate. Charleston is the only museum or gallery in Sussex to offer regular community days at the weekend when it is most needed by working families.
What is the projected economic impact of Charleston in Lewes?
Over a five-year period, Charleston in Lewes is projected to attract over 560,000 visitors, generating an annual average of £4 million in town-wide economic benefits and creating 56 jobs.
How has Charleston in Lewes impacted local businesses?
A survey of visitors found that nearly two-thirds of visitors combined their visit with other activities in Lewes, and nearly half visited restaurants, bars, shops, markets, or other outlets. An independently produced economic impact report published on the Lewes District Council website reports that Charleston in Lewes is projected to attract over 560,000 visitors, generating an annual average of £4 million in town-wide economic benefits and creating 56 jobs.
Does Charleston own the building?
No, Lewes District Council remains the owner of the building. Operators of galleries, theatres and other cultural and sporting venues are often charities and facilitated within council buildings because of the wider benefits that they bring to a town or city. This is the basis on which Wave Active, a charity, run our sports and swimming facilities in the district as well as the newly reopened Newhaven Fort.
Where do I find out more information about Charleston in Lewes?
