As 2020 draws to a close, we would like to thank you for your support over this unusual year.

Our income has been drastically affected since March by loss of earnings from events, space hire, donations and project-related income. Generous support in the form of emergency grants and business support has formed the bedrock of our income this year, and helped us to continue with an adapted programme of online work. 

Moving our work online has been a learning curve that we have embraced. But keen to retain a physical presence at our Brighton gallery, and offer local residents a chance to see art in real life, we have been hosting exhibitions in our window too, and since October we have been showcasing work in this space as well as online.

Like many organisations, most of our staff were on furlough from March to July. Despite this pause, we have managed to achieve some great things:

• Writing our anti-racist action plan
• An exhibition of new works by artist Jaye Ho
• Extracting Us online website and events
• Lost Species Day 2020: Beyond Ruin exhibition and events
• Dresscue sustainable fashion workshops online and in person
• Kids’ eco-art workshop
• Curiosity Club 
• Compost Club Soil Food Web community learning project
• Black History Month local Black artists’ showcase
• Online conversation series on anti-racist cultural leadership – watch this space for further info
• Emerge NHS wellbeing project

With thanks to all of the organisations who have made this year a little easier for us:

• Arts Council England, Emergency Funding Scheme
• Culture Recovery Fund from DCMS
• Business Support Grant from BHCC
• Esmée Fairbairn Foundation emergency support for existing grant holders
• Ritelands
• The Brighton Marina admin team
• Austin Rees
• Michael Bell Brand Communications
• Graphic Design students graduating from the University of Brighton

We would also like to thank all those who support us through our membership programme, our beloved Wildcats, Jungle Cats and Big Cats.

And give a huge thank you to our co-working tenants for sticking with us. They have been incredibly understanding and adaptable as we’ve navigated the year that has been 2020 together!

And finally, we are forever grateful to our brilliant volunteers, trustees and patrons, new and old, for their ongoing support. 

Picture: NHS Staff at RSCH enjoying the Emerge Jolly Trolley