Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) secures new funding
THG has been awarded a significant grant from Arts Council England to expand their exhibition programme and work with local young people in the arts.
THG is celebrating after securing a project grant of £29,000 from Arts Council England. Building on their successful Create Our Space (COS) youth programme, the new grant will help:
- enrich the THG exhibition programme through an ambitious engagement offer to benefit the wider East Devon community — including local schools and THG's expanding Youth Network.
- develop the THG Youth Network into a region-wide platform that extends beyond the gallery, engaging young people who may not have access to creative opportunities, e.g. those with school-related anxiety and young people leaving care.
- reframe opportunities for young people by introducing live projects and creative briefs designed to build skills, confidence, and pathways into the creative industries.
- expand internship opportunities through partnerships with Exeter College and support for care leavers.
- continue the gallery's focus on the climate emergency by developing their successful Climate Conversations talks into a Climate Symposium. The Symposium will inspire creatives to protect and enhance the natural environment through their creative practice, share expertise and network through interactive workshops and talks.
The gallery and its youth team will work with key local project partners including: Arts and Culture East Devon (ACED), East Devon National Landscapeand Blackdown Hills National Landscapes, Arts & Culture Exeter University, Devon Child Services and Exeter College.
This project will build on the success of THG's 2025-26 COS project which piloted youth-led events and resources, employing an intern from the University of Exeter. It has already helped to increase the number and diversity of young people engaging with the gallery.
Councillor Nick Hookway, East Devon District Council Portfolio Holder Tourism, Leisure, Sport and Culture, said,
I would like to thank Arts Council England for this generous grant. The funding will strengthen THG as a regional culture hub and help them explore a dynamic, collaborative way of working with rurally isolated young people to reach new audiences, embedding them in the gallery programme.
The new Climate Symposium will build on THG's Climate Conversations programme. It will help creatives discover different perspectives and find new creative opportunities to help us understand and adapt to our changing planet.
Find out more about THG and their inspiring programme of exhibitions and events at thelmahulbert.com.
