The Storey Gallery was started in 1991 by a group of Lancaster-based artists and is run by people who all are, or have been, practising artists. This staffing and ethos gives a very flexible and artist-centred approach to all activities, and provides close support for artists working with the Gallery.

The Storey Gallery has provided consistent access for local residents to a broad range of high quality contemporary visual art and artists in the district for the first time. It has filled a significant gap in the otherwise unusually high level of arts provision in the area, meeting a need identified by a survey carried out in 1992, and so enhancing the cultural image of the Lancaster district. The local audience has welcomed and appreciated this provision, praising the delivery of, and access to, such a high quality programme outside the major urban centres. It has attracted many people to visit Lancaster, and has been cited as a reason by individuals relocating to the area.

The Gallery is now a significant cultural asset for the district. It plays a key role in the pattern of visual arts provision, not only in North Lancashire and South Lakeland, but also in the whole North West region. It will increasingly become a gallery with a national and international reputation, and a prime visitor destination.

Storey Gallery is part of the Lancaster Arts Partnership. For more details on the partnership visit: www.lancasterartspartners.org

Funders

The Storey Gallery is annually funded by:

• Arts Council England, North West
• Lancaster City Council
• Lancashire County Council

It has been awarded project grants by:

• Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
• Granada Foundation
• Henry Moore Foundation
• Regional Arts Lottery Programme
• Charities Aid Foundation
• Commonwealth Games Regional Arts Lottery Programme
• Ernest Cook Trust
• Engage
• Duchy of Lancaster
• Foundation for Sport and the Arts
• Business Link
• Royal Institute of British Architects
• University of Central Lancashire

It has received sponsorship from:

• Reebok
• Border Asset Management
• Oglethorpe, Sturton & Gillibrand Solicitors
• Vodafone
• Royal Bank of Scotland

The Storey Gallery is grateful to Business in the Arts for support through its mentoring programme.

Structure

Storey Art Gallery is a limited company No 3416341 and a registered charity No 1075725

Mission

• to provide opportunities for experience, knowledge, and understanding, of contemporary visual art for a wide audience.

Vision and Aims

• to be a visual art organisation with a national reputation and international connections, which nurtures, commissions, presents, and promotes innovative and challenging contemporary art.

Aims

• to run a programme including exhibitions, residencies, and projects in the public arena
• to engage audiences with all activities, and provide opportunities for participation and learning, with an emphasis on young people
• to stimulate critical and creative thought, debate and reflection
• to encourage artistic experimentation, innovation and risk-taking
• to work with artists of international acclaim
• to encourage and support emerging artists
• to provide support and professional development for artists
• to contribute to, and advocate for, the development of visual arts practice
• to participate in collaborative research projects on contemporary visual culture and creative industry
• to research and explore synergies with the commercial creative sector
• to work in close partnership with the Storey Creative Industries Centre and Litfest as "The Storey"
• to explore new business models for sustainability
• to bring benefit to the social, cultural and economic life of the Lancaster district, Lancashire and the wider region
• to contribute to the image and quality of life of the Lancaster district

Values:

• creative excellence
• experimentation, innovation and risk-taking
• collaboration; equality of opportunity
• accessibility and openness
• honesty, integrity, accountability
• sustainability