The Broadway Gallery will rely on the ongoing support of the public to keep their doors open and for their programme of exhibitions and projects to keep running.

The COVID-19 pandemic has gravely affected both art galleries and cultural venues around the UK and Broadway Gallery in Letchworth Garden City is no exception. “Last July we faced permanent closure due to the significant financial losses sustained by Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation, which funded all our work,” says Broadway Gallery curator Kris Day, “this means we can no longer solely rely on the Foundation to cover all our costs”. 

The Broadway Gallery is now seeking external funding, charitable grants and donations to help it maintain the gallery programme. Kris continues; “this will help us continue to nurture emerging talent and support cultural development in Letchworth, engaging with audiences of all ages and backgrounds”.

Since it opened in 2016, the Broadway Gallery has brought high quality international artists to Hertfordshire while also supporting and exhibiting creative talent from Letchworth, the surrounding region and beyond. The recent exhibition, the ‘Letchworth Open’ showcased and celebrated the artistic talent of the region. 

The Broadway Gallery is also part of the Letchworth Culture Project. This initiative enables community-led exhibitions and events to take place in the empty retail units in the town. With restrictions easing the Broadway wants to take this project forward and transform the town’s empty spaces into creative hubs where artists and makers can thrive.

The Broadway Gallery has stated that there are a number of ways that the public can help. “If you can afford to do so, we would welcome donations of any size. Please rest assured that any amount donated will go towards supporting our programme of creative activities, exhibitions and events in the gallery and around Letchworth” says Kris, “If you’ve visited, or even exhibited, at the gallery recently then please take a moment to fill in our survey. Your feedback really is important to us and will help shape our future programme.” 

The Broadway Gallery is also looking to bring on board new volunteers to help run the gallery. If anyone would like to find out more about gallery’s situation and how they might be able to help they can contact him direct via email kris@kristianday.co.uk or “better yet,” Kris adds, “come meet us in person at the gallery”.

The Broadway Gallery and Digswell Arts have a shared history and ongoing relationship, with the gallery having exhibited both current and alumni artists. Digswell alumni and current artists who have held solo exhibitions in the gallery include Richard Clare, Allistair Covell, Liz Harrington, Louise Lahive, Julie Leaming, Karen Picton, Kate Roberts and John Vincent. In 2021 twenty-three Digswell current and alumni artists featured in the inaugural Letchworth Open.

For more information on how to support the gallery and on the current exhibitions, Fiona Curran’s ‘Jump Cut, Still Life’ in the main space and George Eksts ‘Five Things To See Or Do’ in the adjoining gallery space, visit https://www.broadway-letchworth.com/gallery