Newhaven creatives benefit from £160k funding from NEZ to grow cultural offering
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Artists and creative groups in Newhaven have received an additional £160,000 funding from Newhaven Enterprise Zone (NEZ) to build on the town's reputation as a hub for creativity on the coast.
The funding will be spread across three years through Towner, which will use the grant to support creatives and arts organisations to support them and boost Newhaven's economy.
This funding is in addition to the annual grant of £160,000 given to Towner to deliver Creative Newhaven, a collaborative scheme to develop accessible and enriching projects across the town.
Towner, an art gallery and cultural organisation based in Eastbourne, will continue coordinating a packed programme of exhibitions at Marine Workshops for Newhaven residents and visitors to enjoy, as well as more events at The Sidings and another Harbour Lights Parade in early 2027.
Michelle Connors, programme manager at NEZ, said: "We are so pleased to be able to partner with Towner and supply this additional funding to support the creative community in Newhaven.
"Our town is already viewed as the place to be for makers and artists, and this three-year grant will help us to support them and encourage more visitors to come and see what Newhaven has to offer.
"Our programme of creative events helps to make Newhaven a culturally interesting place for residents and businesses to call home, boosting the local economy."
It has been a standout year for creativity in Newhaven, with more than 50 exhibitions taking place at the Marine Workshops and visitor numbers up by 65%, as well as a longer period of events at The Sidings.
With the additional funding from NEZ, Towner will build on this year's success to create a rolling stream of exhibitions including both ticketed and free events at The Sidings and it will continue to support emerging, early career and breakthrough artists in Newhaven.
Investment into Newhaven's creative scene has boosted the town's local economy, with restaurants and bars including ABYSS, Pat's Pizza and Newhaven Tap, benefitting from more people visiting exhibitions and installations and spending time in the town afterwards.
Newhaven Art Space, run by Newhaven Art Projects, has been a focal point in the town centre too, acting as a space for artists and the community to come together to share and learn from each other.
Nick Stockman, Newhaven Creative Producer at Towner, said: "The funding from NEZ has secured continuity for the programme which has been the key to its success. It's enabled us to plan a seamless, rolling schedule of events to showcase the fantastic makers and creators in Newhaven, and it means we can continue to help local talent grow for years to come.
"We're building on the foundations of five years of work, and in that time, we've seen a creative community flourish and residents and visitors embrace a positivity that is difficult to find anywhere else."
Towner also plans to use the funding from NEZ to support the spaces used for creative activity like The Sidings and the Hillcrest Centre and make sure they stay busy with cultural offerings.
For more information, please visit: https://newhavenenterprisezone.com/
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Editors notes
For further information, please contact:
Fran Herring, Samantha Clark or Flo Powell
Midnight Communications
01273 666 200
Notes to editors
Newhaven Enterprise Zone’s mission is to transform Newhaven into a thriving business destination by 2030, with a repurposed town centre, to support growth sectors and boost the economy. Its current investment plan includes seven key initiatives, including new grant programmes to drive productivity, business growth and investment, helping to create sustainable, inclusive jobs that benefit the entire community.
