Newhaven Enterprise Zone boosts art scene with £160,000

Art gallery Towner Eastbourne will use the money to stage a series of small to medium scale creative events across Newhaven during 2024 to build on its success.

Towner Eastbourne immediately named five creative organisations to benefit from funding, including theatre groups Play On and Ignite Theatre, who will stage new productions, plus Haven Young Creatives, who will bring the popular Harbour Lights winter lantern parade back for a second year.

Arts group KP Projects also received funding for Blazing Saddles, an outdoor performance celebrating the role of women in the development of cycling, while Edgeland Modern received a grant for a new documentary film production based on the River Ouse.

Corinne Day, programme director, Newhaven Enterprise Zone, said: “The grassroots arts events held in Newhaven last year were fantastic for both the residents and for raising awareness of the town as a place to visit, live and base a business, thus boosting local pride and the economy.

“We cannot wait to see what Towner Eastbourne and all our arts organisations deliver in Newhaven this year.”

Last year’s programme of arts events, which also received funding from Newhaven Enterprise Zone, helped attract more than 120,000 visitors to the town.

The ‘Following Ravilious’ trail featured giant billboards showcasing the artist’s work, accompanied by responses from contemporary artists and was staged across four locations in Newhaven for three months.

Nick Stockman, Newhaven creative producer at Towner Eastbourne, said: “Art helps to create vibrant places, influencing decisions about where to live and set up a business, so it’s a key part of the jigsaw in helping Newhaven to grow.

“We were so pleased with the results we delivered which included attracting 122,000 visitors to the Ravilious art trail alone. This represented ten times the population of Newhaven.

“It’s fantastic to see the funding continue from Newhaven Enterprise Zone and we are looking forward to working on our plans and making some exciting announcements soon.”