'Education and training' at the heart of Charleston in Lewes
Visitor numbers exceed 100,000 since 2023 opening
Councillor Zoe Nicholson's comments followed a Cabinet meeting today (20 March) that granted a 25-year lease to Charleston in Lewes. The decision will prove 'fundamentally important' in the efforts to fulfil a vision of opening a national gallery and new cultural centre in Lewes, which, in partnership with leading galleries in the country, would bring work of national and international significance to Sussex.
Councillor Nicholson said:
"As well as the wonderful cultural contribution and hugely welcome economic impact on our town, it is the far-reaching and highly significant collaboration between Charleston in Lewes and East Sussex College Group that has really brought the council's ambition for our partnership to life.
"Young people and their education and training are central to so much of what Charleston in Lewes has become, and that relationship will only continue to evolve and develop. It was no surprise recently that Ofsted inspectors praised the creative skills programme, something that 800 students will enjoy over the coming year.
"I'm also delighted that over 2,000 residents have taken part in workshops, teachers from 22 schools have participated in artist-led training programmes and 41% of visitors have visited for free or benefitted from concessions, such as a monthly weekend Pay What You Can day and free entrance for all under-18s."
In terms of the impact on the local economy and spending in the town's businesses, work by Picasso, Modigliani, Lee Miller, and Grayson Perry, among many others, has attracted over 100,000 people to Charleston in Lewes since September 2023.
Councillor Nicholson added:
"The granting of a longer lease is fundamentally important if the team at Charleston is to establish partnerships with Tate, the V&A, and National Portrait Gallery, attract more external investment, and open a national gallery in Lewes - an incredibly exciting prospect and one that would undoubtedly generate an even greater number of visitors to the town and support more jobs for local people."
A survey 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 cultural venues. 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.
Councillor Johnny Denis, Cabinet Member for Arts and Culture, said:
"We are proud of our partnerships with local charities that allow us to retain council buildings and ensure that they can be enjoyed by our residents.
"Our successful partnership with Wave Active and its running of our sports and leisure centres reflect this approach, and I'm delighted that we have reached an agreement with Charleston that provides them with a building in the town centre in exchange for huge economic and social benefits, but without an accompanying grant.
"At a time when many local authorities are cutting funding and closing theatres, cultural venues and sporting facilities, this council is determined to support and nurture them, so this generation and generations still to come can enjoy them."
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