Turner Contemporary receives £865k funding award

Turner Contemporary has received a £865k funding award as part of the government's £1.5bn Arts Everywhere Fund.

The funding is allocated for essential maintenance and capital works to protect the Margate gallery's infrastructure and support its ability to host exhibitions to international standards.

Arts Council England (ACE) supplied the funding, secured through the Creative Foundations Fund within the government scheme.

"Turner Contemporary plays a vital role in Kent," Georgia Foster, cabinet member for communities and regulatory services, said. "It brings people together, inspires creativity and supports wellbeing at every stage of life."

"This funding is about protecting an important public asset and making sure it continues to serve residents long into the future," she added.

The award forms part of a wider £12.6m package for the South East, administered and delivered by ACE on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, supporting 14 cultural venues, museums and libraries through the Arts Everywhere Fund.

Planned improvements include:

• addressing risks relating to compliance, sustainability and building performance

• upgrading mechanical and electrical systems

• enhancing gallery environments to meet international exhibition standards

• improving accessibility

• installing solar panels to improve environmental performance and support long‑term operational sustainability.

Clarrie Wallis, the gallery's director, said they were "deeply grateful" for the support as the gallery celebrated its 15th anniversary.

Hazel Edwards, south east area director at ACE, added: "By investing in the foundations of our cultural lives, we are helping to secure a more sustainable, more accessible, and more creative future for people across the South East and beyond."

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