Colonnade House is the creative pulse of Worthing – place for artists, makers, designers and innovators to collaborate and connect.

 

On the ground floor there are two gallery spaces, and on the upper three floors are ten studios available to rent to people working in the creative industries.

Exhibitions change regularly so there’s always something new to see. You can also come and chat to the artists about their inspirations and processes, and you might even catch them making some new work.

Colonnade House also hosts networking events, talks and workshops for local creatives to connect, share skills and be inspired.

 

Our Story

One of Worthing’s most iconic architectural landmarks, Colonnade House is located in the heart of Worthing’s vibrant cafe quarter. Built in the early 1800s and opened as a library and post office, the building was partially destroyed by fire eighty years later and remodelled in the 1930s.

In 2014, the ‘Commit to Culture’ project was born followed by a successful application from Worthing Borough Council to the Coastal Community Fund to transform ‘Colonnade House’ into a Creative Hub.

The idea was to establish a Creative Hub right in the heart of Worthing town centre which would provide affordable workspaces for the creative community and offer a central focus for business support in an environment suitable for collaborative working. In 2016, Worthing Borough Council established a partnership with Adur & Worthing Trust to manage the project.

In 2016 Colonnade House accepted its first tenants and hosted its first exhibitions and events. Now Colonnade House is transformed into a unique creative workspace and hub that fosters cross-disciplinary inspiration and collaboration.

 

Vision

To stimulate the creative and digital sector in Worthing, making it visible, connected and recognised as a top location for artists and creative industries on the south coast.

 

Mission

•  To provide workspace and exhibition space that is affordable, digitally enabled and managed to a high standard

•  To support people working in the creative and digital sector by building a community through networking and sharing of skills and knowledge

•  To increase the visibility of the local creative sector through the range and quality of exhibitions and projects presented in the gallery

•  To add value in the local economy by supporting local businesses and contributing to the visitor economy.

 

 

Partners & Funders

Adur & Worthing Trust is an active partner in the Commit to Culture Partnership. They encourage inclusive cultural activities, expanding opportunities to participate in the arts, raising the profile and reputation of Adur and Worthing for cultural excellence and innovation. Adur and Worthing Trust is a limited company and registered charity, no: 1156999.

Worthing Borough Council supports the creative sector by building on creative work space at Colonnade House as part of the Adur & Worthing Economic Strategy.
Time for Worthing is the town’s central promotional platform and tourism site. Where you can find out about the opportunities, attractions, activities and more going on in the town.
The Coastal Communities Fund (CCF) encourages the economic development of UK coastal communities by giving funding to create sustainable economic growth and jobs.
Colonnade House supports Worthing Artists Open Houses as a Community Partner and participates as a venue.
Colonnade House is delighted to be working with Men in Sheds Worthing, a collective who share their practical skills with us and whose community workshops help to combat loneliness and isolation.

 

 

 

Colonnade House has collaborated with and been supported by Audio Active, Worthing Community Chest, Worthing Town Centre Initiative, Northbrook Metropolitan College, Arts Council England and As Described on several projects, including The Geminate Project and #Scratchpad.

 

 

 

Worthing Film Club, Anchored in Worthing, Subway EPS, Cellar Arts Club, So It Goes, MHA Carpenter Box, Persistent Peril, As Described, Pollinator Pioneers and Marine Conservation Society were the 2019 partners and sponsors of Colonnade House’s film festival Films on the Gallery Wall.