Improving access to heritage for people of all backgrounds has long been an HLF priority. This was reflected in our support for an £8.5million scheme to relocate the 4,000 works of art of Towner Art Gallery in Eastbourne to a dramatic new building set back from the seafront. Complete with cutting edge facilities, the new Towner art gallery and visual-arts centre helps visitors appreciate contemporary and historic art of regional and national significance. People can also take part in creative activities, which have included curating one of the gallery’s opening exhibitions. Founded in the 1920s as a “gallery for the people”, Towner continues to live up to this name while also helping to revitalise cultural life in coastal South East England.
“HLF’s support was instrumental in enabling Towner’s relocation, resulting in a new building with exhibition spaces of international standard and a fully accessible collection store that is the envy of many.” Matthew Rowe, Artistic Director, Towner Art Gallery.