The Hope Appeal

“The challenge of Watts Gallery is to preserve its quality of mystery and wonder, while preventing the building from physically falling to bits. It is a precious place, I know of nowhere in the world like it.”

Maev Kennedy, Heritage Correspondent, The Guardian

The Hope Appeal was launched in 2005 with the aim of securing the financial future of the Gallery, restoring the buildings, conserving the collection, extending the education programme and establishing Watts Gallery as a centre for the exploration of Victorian art, social history and craft.

The original financial target set was £10.1million and we had the support of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund of £4.3million. Through the wonderful generosity of a huge range of charitable trusts, foundation, public authorities, organisations and individual donors this was achieved and as a result of this restoration work began in January 2009.

Regretably in September 2009 the contractor on the Hope Project went into administration as a result of wider economic pressures. The Hope Project will continue and Watts Gallery Trustees will ensure that restoration work will be resumed as soon possible. Sadly, this development will cause a delay and therefore incure more costs.

We will now need to fundraise further if we are to avoid eating into our endowment fund that everyone worked so hard to accumalate. If you can support us again or perhaps for the first time, we would be very grateful and you will be contributing towards the restoration of a national Gallery and preserving it for future generations.

Donations

Your support for the protection of the collection and restoration of the beautiful Gallery Building, steeped in charm and nostalgia, is urgently needed. We welcome donations of all kinds and particularly encourage the use of Gift Aid. Donate here

There are a number of other ways you can support
the Hope Appeal which are listed on the right.

Corporate Sponsorship

There are a number of ways that companies large and small can support the Hope Appeal. Please contact us to discuss a tailor made arrangement.

For further information please contact the Director or Appeal Coordinator
director@wattsgallery.org.uk
appeal@wattsgallery.org.uk
or call us on 01483 810 235