The Towner Art Gallery (above) has revealed an ambitious community programme
Eastbourne's £8.5 million new-look Towner building is aiming to give something back to the community through its new outreach and education projects.
A programme of events is being devised that will encourage school-aged children to develop their creative side, with workshops, talks and tours available to schools and families in a bid to expand arts education in the town.
February's Cambridge Primary Interim Report accused primary schools of offering "too narrow an education", but Richard Beales, Towner's Outreach and Inclusion Manager, said learning is "at the heart" of his organization.
"As a creative organisation we strive to develop and move forward continuously," he said. "We hope to promote a positive change in people's lives, reducing offending rates and getting young offenders back into education."
The opening Collection Connections show has worked with three local schools to showcase work from pupils, and a new Collection Resource Pack will also be available for schools so the creativity can be continued in the classroom.
Children outside of mainstream education will also benefit from Towner's work with local agencies and charities, aiming to support disadvantaged people in the community by using art as a rehabilitation device led by local artists.
Lost Horizons promotes collaborations between artists and local youngsters
Similar programmes have been run at the Towner during the past nine years, but the new building will allow them to be expanded under close scrutiny from the National Research Project.
Young people at risk and those who are most marginalised in East Sussex can also benefit from Towner’s Lost Horizons programme, which aims to re-establish participants' links with their community.
Landsdowne Secure Children's Home was set up as a residence home for highly vulnerable children, many of whom have battled with self-harm and abuse. Among other agencies and charities in East Sussex, Lansdowne Home has formed links with the Towner Outreach Project to help improve the situations of these young people.
Martin Sutcliffe, Deputy Manager for Lansdowne Secure Children's Home, said: "In the past, representatives from Towner have worked with the children on our site. The children who come to us are very high criteria cases. This time, we plan to do some outings to Towner with the children who prove they can be trusted."
Other partners in the Lost Horizons project include Bexhill Young People's Services, East Sussex Youth Offending Team, Positive Activities for Young People, CRI Hastings and Eastbourne and Seaview Projects.
See our picture special from the opening of the Towner and inside look at the opening People’s Choice gallery
