A new Plan for Kettle’s Yard

A message from Director, Andrew Nairne

I want to tell you about a new plan for Kettle's Yard.

In 2011 we were awarded £2.32m by the Heritage Lottery Fund to create a much needed Education Wing for Kettle's Yard. Trusts and Foundations and many individuals also very generously provided support. During 2012 we had to reschedule the building work due to technical difficulties. In this period  we looked again at our options and decided that we could make further significant improvements to Kettle’s Yard - and that it would make sense to undertake a single, larger scheme which would fulfill all our ambitions.

The Education Wing will be a great enhancement, transforming our work with schools, groups and individuals. Our new plan is for the Education Wing to be complemented by beautifully designed, sustainable exhibition galleries and greatly improved services for visitors including a cafe on the ground floor.

How will this larger plan be paid for?

Arts Council England have a capital investment programme to which we can apply. Their fund is focused on the refurbishment of arts spaces undertaken in such a way as to increase financial resilience. I believe our plans would do exactly that. Grouped around the Kettle’s Yard House, which would not be altered, renewed galleries could attract the best artists to Cambridge and an entrance space and cafe will encourage greater community involvement. The design will  enable us to welcome new visitors and increase earned income through the shop, cafe and hires. The  funding we have already received and our aims for the project will increase the likelihood of success.

Our new capital target is £8m and we will be calling upon the further support and generosity of trusts, foundations and individuals in the coming years. We hope to  be able to celebrate the end of the building programme and a renewed Kettle’s Yard by 2016, the fiftieth anniversary of the gift of the collection to the University of Cambridge.

While we develop the new plan  we will continue to offer an exciting programme of exhibitions, concerts and educational activities. We are very much open!

I want to keep everyone who cares about Kettle’s Yard informed as the new plan progresses. We will have some drawings and images we can share in the new year. Thank you for your interest and support for what we do. It is greatly appreciated.