2025 was Cromer Artspace’s busiest and most successful year so far. Now five years old, the charity continues to grow in ambition, reputation and community impact. The trustees thank the 75 active volunteers and many other supporters whose work made the year possible.
The newly refurbished Artspace on the Prom reopened in February, enabling a full programme of 12 exhibitions featuring emerging, local and national artists. Highlights included two Arts Council touring shows: Framerate: Pulse of the Earth and Outsiders; a new Bigger Picture trail with the National Galleries of Scotland, our first Sculpture Exhibition, and the launch of a new bursary scheme for emerging artists. The Secret Auction raised over £9,000 to support our work.
Cromer Artspace’s profile continued to rise, with visitors travelling specifically to see exhibitions and artists submitting work from across the UK and beyond. Around 11,000 people visited the gallery in 2025, supported by guided walks, artist talks, family workshops and growing engagement from schools and community groups. We strengthened links with organisations supporting people experiencing homelessness and showcased children’s work through the See Like a Mirror exhibition.
Artspace remains a volunteer‑powered organisation. Alongside the 75 active volunteers, more than 30 people contributed through specialist teams covering programming, installation, communications, finance, premises and more. Volunteers covered 291 gallery shifts, with exhibiting artists covering a further 77.
The refurbished gallery, now warm, dry and weatherproof, allowed us to host more ambitious exhibitions and attract artists from across the UK. Visitors described the space as “as good as any you might see in a London gallery” and praised its friendly atmosphere and diverse programme.
We continued to gain regional and national recognition, confirming Bigger Picture partnerships through to 2028 and beginning planning for a major 2026 symposium on art in rural and coastal areas. Engagement also grew online, with over 1,000 newsletter subscribers and strong social media growth. Schools and community groups borrowed artworks through the Bigger Picture Loan Scheme, and guided walks helped people notice artworks they had “often walked past without spotting.”
2025 also marked the start of our first artist bursaries, offering year‑long residencies and mentoring. We expanded links with schools, colleges and Norwich University of the Arts, and continued to deliver talks and guided walks to deepen public understanding of contemporary art.
We were awarded the Norfolk Carbon Charter Bronze Award, recognising the early stages of our environmental commitment. Financially, the charity generated £27,370 in income and spent £19,170, with refurbishment costs funded by earlier grants.