Join Us to Shape the Future of Colonnade House
We invite you to join us for a pivotal week as we chart a new path forward for Colonnade House.
Like many creative cultural projects across the country, Colonnade House is facing significant financial challenges. To ensure the gallery can continue operating as it has for the past eight years, we must urgently explore alternative solutions and partnerships.
This project, brought to life through the collaboration of Worthing Borough Council and the Adur & Worthing Trust, has achieved extraordinary successes. However, due to financial pressures facing the council and past challenges in expanding the gallery into neighboring buildings, Colonnade House now stands at a crossroads.
This week is your opportunity to learn more about the challenges we face, celebrate the gallery’s many successes, and play an active role in shaping its future.
We’re calling on Worthing’s incredible creative community for ideas. Whether you’re part of a creative trust or business interested in reimagining the gallery for the community, or an artist keen to partner with others to guide the project forward, we want to hear from you.
Each day of the consultation week has a specific theme, aim, and events (details below). The gallery will also remain open throughout the week for drop-ins, where visitors can explore the project’s story, share feedback, and contribute ideas.
On Monday 13th we will open at 11.30. The rest of the week we will be open from 10.00 – 17.00 until Saturday.
The week:
Monday 13th: Welcome to the Challenge
We’ll kick off the week with an interactive ideas wall, a survey corner, and a key presentation:
- 12:30: Join us for light refreshments and a presentation on Colonnade House’s journey so far, including the challenges we now face.
- A Q&A session will follow the presentation.
- Please email richard.manders@adur-worthing.gov.uk to register your interest.
- A recording of the presentation will be shared online afterward.
Tuesday 14th: The Impact / Your Ideas
Take a closer look at the gallery’s social, cultural, and economic impact. Share your experiences, feedback, and suggestions for what’s missing or what could be improved. Your insights will help shape the future of Colonnade House.
Wednesday 15th: Collaboration
Join facilitator-led roundtable discussions to generate ideas on:
- New funding opportunities
- Potential partnerships
- Ways the gallery could better serve the community
Roundtable sessions will take place at:
- 10:30
- 14:00
- 18:00
Please email richard.manders@adur-worthing.gov.uk to register your interest.
Thursday 16th: Creative Engagement
As a space we have always endeavoured to be inviting and accessible to all. On Thursday, we’re inviting visitors, Superstar Arts, and local students to explore the consultation creatively through painting, drawing, and making. After all, we’re a gallery—why not let art express what words can’t?
Friday 17th: The Emerging Themes
As the week progresses, we’ll begin gathering insights and identifying key themes. Join us for an afternoon session to review these emerging ideas and learn how you can help shape the next steps for Colonnade House.
- 15:00: Drop-in session to discuss the week’s findings.
Saturday 18th: Your Town
On the final day, we’ll think bigger—beyond Colonnade House—and create a collective vision for Worthing’s creative future. Through drawing, recording and conversation, we’ll imagine what a thriving creative community could look like. Open to all ages and ideas.
If you can’t make the consultation week please email richard.manders@adur-worthing.gov.uk to request a digital survey which will be sent to you during the consultation week.
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A Note to Participants
The Colonnade House team has worked quickly to organise this consultation, alongside ongoing workshops and exhibitions. While we’re committed to answering questions and gathering feedback, we kindly ask for your patience as this is a challenging moment for the team.
Please note: All fundraising activities during this period are organised by the Adur & Worthing Trust with Worthing Borough Council fully sighted and aware.
Open Monday 11.30 – 17.00 // Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 – 17.00