We’re delighted to announce that as of summer 2019, the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Environment Programme is supporting ONCA Barge!

Since we took over the venue in September 2018, our dream for ONCA Barge has been to create a floating community-centred learning space that supports artist development, and offers a programme of creative activities addressing environmental and social change. This funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation will support our core work over the next three years, and means that we are able to develop our vision for an accessible space for creative environmental education and activity for East Brighton.

ONCA Co-director Persephone Pearl says,

“We’re delighted at this news, and proud that Esmée Fairbairn Foundation believes in ONCA’s mission to combine environmental learning with creative practice and social inclusion.”

ONCA Barge Manager and inclusive artist Ellie Liddell-Crewe explains,

“The funding will allow us to use art as a tool for positive change, engage local people in creative activities and encourage much-needed dialogue around climate change, local biodiversity loss and climate justice issues in East Brighton.”

You can expect to see a diverse and inspiring programme of free educational events and online environmental education resources. We’ll be collaborating with schools and community groups from the Marina to Whitehawk and right across Sussex on projects that build confidence and connection with the environment, and we’ll be working to make Brighton Marina more environmentally sustainable. ONCA looks forward to connecting with local people to establish exciting projects for positive social and environmental change.

Press release ends.

Press Information

For more information, interviews and images, contact: