"Since 1977, Side gallery has held a singular position in the British art scene, exhibiting stories of working-class life through the lens of many of the greats of documentary photography and film, alongside projects made or commissioned by its founding collective. Now it has been announced that the storied gallery space will never reopen again at its historic warehouse location near Newcastle's riverside waterfront, having been forced to close in 2023 following the loss of vital revenue funding from the Arts Council of England (ACE)."
"Laffler tells The Art Newspaper that she and her small team had been working towards reopening, having received grants and support to keep going in the interim. However, by July, it became obvious that all avenues for continued revenue funding had been exhausted, and they had to refocus in order to save Side's legacy and its world-important archive and collection."
"The announcement was met with messages of support, but also some criticism from a number of the 1,933 people who had supported its #SaveSide crowdfund in 2023, which raised £67,278 to help stay afloat. A contributor commented on Instagram: "I donated money under the assumption that it was for The Side to remain and continue in its current location. That is what was implied. The whole thing feels... disingenuous.""
Side gallery presented working-class life through documentary photography and film since 1977 and held a distinctive cultural role. The gallery was forced to close its historic Quayside warehouse in 2023 after losing vital revenue funding from Arts Council England. Amber Film & Photography assumed day-to-day running following the Amber Side collective's retirement. Grants, short-term support and a 2023 crowdfund that raised £67,278 provided temporary relief. By July, all avenues for continued revenue funding were exhausted, prompting a refocus to protect Side's legacy, archive and collection. From December 2025 the model will no longer be solely gallery-based and the Quayside location will not reopen.
Read at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events
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