Arts Council funding totalling £3.5m will support the creation of a new Education Wing and major improvements to the exhibition galleries at Kettle's Yard.

Our aim is to ensure that Kettle's Yard has state of the art facilities, so that our programme of exhibitions, concerts and learning activities can continue to be outstanding, inspired by the ambition and innovation that characterises the Kettle’s Yard house which Jim Ede created

Andrew Naime

Kettle's Yard today received first stage backing from the Arts Council England Capital Investment Programme Fund. The Arts Council funding totalling £3.5m will substantially support the creation of a new Education Wing and major improvements to the exhibition galleries, alongside better services for visitors including a small cafe. The plans have been drawn up by Jamie Fobert Architects. 

The total campaign target is £8.7m .The Heritage Lottery Fund have already committed £1,982,200 towards the Education Wing from a total grant of £2,456,300, which includes activity costs.

The Arts Council funding is released in two stages: an initial £150,000  development grant, and £3.5 million when Kettle's Yard have developed the plans further and secured the further financial backing needed to proceed.

Andrew Nairne, Director of Kettle's Yard, said: "We are immensely grateful to Arts Council England for this major grant towards our plans, alongside generous existing support from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Our aim is to ensure that Kettle's Yard has state of the art facilities, so that our programme of exhibitions, concerts and learning activities can continue to be outstanding, inspired by the ambition and innovation that characterises the Kettle’s Yard house which Jim Ede created."

Alex van Someren, Chair of the Kettle's Yard Development Committee, said: "This significant investment from Arts Council England is fantastic news for Kettle’s Yard, and for the Cambridge region. As one of the most important cultural organisations in East Anglia, Kettle's Yard will now have the opportunity to bring more internationally significant art to Cambridge, and to engage even wider audiences."

Anne Lonsdale CBE, Chair of Kettle's Yard Committee, said: "Great news! There is so much potential here.  Now we can create the facilities, programmes and exhibitions to match, and pass on the magic of Kettles Yard to new generations."

At the same time as receiving news of the Capital Investment, Kettle’s Yard has also been informed that Arts Council England have renewed Kettle's Yard National Portfolio Organisation status and committed to £446,271 funding for the next three years (£148,757 per year). This is a signal of continuing support for the quality and richness of the programme of arts activity at Kettle's Yard.

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