Support Us

CONSULTATIONS 2018

In January the Trustees and Director consulted with our Supporters to gain feedback on ideas put forward in a questionnaire document about forming a new group of 'Subscribers'.  Historically the Subscribers were a support group recognised by the original Trust Deed, but in recent years they had become redundant during the existence of a separate charity, The Friends of Rye Art Gallery, which closed last year.   The questionnaire went out by email and post and was also available at two meetings for Supporters.

Chair of Trustees, Trevor Llanwarne, has recently reported back to Supporters with updates on the outcome of the Consultations.  We will be designing a scheme which benefits both Subscribers and the Gallery - Subscribers will have reduced charges for Gallery Events such as talks, workshops, social events and other benefits.  Historically, they have also been able to elect one Trustee to the Board and this practice is being enabled by an update to the Trust Deed and has now been approved by the Charities Commission. 

In May, our Supporters received an email asking them to re-register to stay on, or to join, our database , ie. for their contact details to be held by the Gallery.  This was due to the new national legal requirements concerning personal privacy protection.  This includes those who have chosen to hear from us by post or hand delivery which is arranged on request for those without email.  If you haven't yet replied to this, do please get in touch as we will not otherwise be able to send information to you.

VOLUNTEERS

If you are on our updated list of Supporters, you will also have been in receipt of a letter announcing a Meeting of those interested in becoming involved with the Gallery through offering help and support as a Volunteer.  You can hear about possible roles on Sunday 20th May, at 2.30pm in Studio Gallery 6 and join in the discussion.  We look forward to seeing you.

SPONSORSHIP

We aim to increase the level of sponsorship we have for aspects of the Gallery programme.

Contact the Chair of Trustees at the Gallery where your interest and ideas for partnership will be warmly welcomed.  Sponsorship might take the shape of once-off contribution for the hanging and preview refreshments of a particular exhibition, with associated publicity, or a longer-term partnership with mutual benefits.

For example, we have enjoyed working with Artwrite, our local art materials supplier in Rye, on the Stormont Awards last year, and  Heringtons Solicitors have placed an informative advertisement in our current Programme Brochure.

DONATIONS

All financial donations to the Rye Art Gallery Trust are most welcome and will enable us to better fulfill the aims of the Trust.

Our complex historic building needs a great deal of regular upkeep, repair and maintenance. Some of the items in our Collection require expert conservation - this might be restoration, repair, mounting, framing or glazing, all to Museum standard.

We have Donation boxes in the Gallery but we also welcome gifts via bank transfer and cheque.  If you are able to gift-aid your donation, it adds around 20% to the amount and is much appreciated.

BEQUESTS

For all sorts of reasons, cultural and financial, you might like to make a bequest in your will to Rye Art Gallery Trust, which is a Charity.  This might be in the form of a financial legacy or, for example, a work of art for the Collection.  Financially, a bequest to a Charity does not attract inheritance tax.

WORKS OF ART

If you are considering the donation or bequest of a work of art, this would need to comply with our Collection Development Policy which focuses on 19th-21st century British Art.  The piece could be given in memory of yourself and/or a loved one.  Where an art work is bequeathed, we would acknowledge you by name(s) in the Collection Catalogue and on the label of the work when exhibited.

For Donations and Bequests

Please contact the Chair of Rye Art Gallery Trust at the Gallery address.

THE FRIENDS OF RYE ART GALLERY

'The Friends of Rye Art Gallery' was a separate charity but closed with due process in April 2017.  

Members voted at their final AGM that the remaining funds be passed to the Rye Art Gallery Trust, ring-fenced for the refurbishment of the Studio Gallery 6.  The Trustees are most grateful for the donation of over £9,000 towards upgrading the historic studio of the Trust's founders. They thank all the members of the Friends who over the years have been so supportive of the Gallery.

We have been liaising with two volunteer architects who are Gallery Supporters and have drawn up plans for the refurbishment.  Their proposals are for Studio Gallery 6 and for the main staircase leading up to it.  We are curently applying for grants to add to the donation and cover the work needed.