The new Towner gallery aims to provide the following facilities and activities:
Towner Art Collection
- The Towner's nationally acclaimed art collection and exhibitions will be available to all audiences.
- The store for the permanent collection has been specifically designed to enable the public to view the whole collection of 4000 items for the first time.
- It will be fully accessible for researchers or small study groups who wish to look at art works not on display in the galleries.
- Paintings on canvas will be stored on sliding vertical racks and works on paper such as sketches and watercolours will be stored in plan chests.
- The Towner has been awarded £1million by the Art Fund, for the creation of a collection of contemporary art through the new scheme Art Fund International. This will enable specific purchases and commissions over the next five years.
Conference Facilities
- The town's conference business will be boosted by providing new flexible conference and exhibition halls.
Community Activities
- Community activity rooms will have a major role in the life of the Towner.
- There will be a large room for creative activities, including workshops for school children or "master-classes" for adults.
- A smaller, more comfortable room will be available for use by support groups, voluntary committees or any organisation seeking an informal meeting space.
- Larger groups will be able to utilise a flexible space, which will accommodate classes of students and meetings of local societies for lectures and talks.
Refreshments
- A café will provide a place for refreshment and reflection.
- It will give an alternative view of Devonshire Park from the second floor of the building with its sun terrace looking towards the Downs.
Art Gallery Shop
- A shop in the foyer will provide visitors the opportunity to buy items relating to and inspired by, the Towner's extensive collection of artworks.
- From greetings cards to limited edition ceramics and work by local artists, the shop will be a destination in its own right.
