Our Big Picture is set to undergo a major renovation after successfully raising £332,000.
The gallery took over the Grade II listed Georgian buildings at 17–21 Bethlehem Street, Grimsby, back in 2022. Dating from 1781, it had previously been used as an estate agent and hairdresser before it was repurposed by Our Big Picture for use as creative and exhibition spaces.
The building will now undergo a significant overhaul to improve accessibility and complete conservation and repair works. The organisation said they were “thrilled to announce” that they had raised the necessary funds.
A spokesperson said: “This milestone marks a huge step forward in our journey to create an inclusive and fully accessible Arts & Heritage Hub for North East Lincolnshire.”
The funds will be used to create new accessible spaces, restore the building, and to create spaces for creative industries, workshops and group sessions, and exhibitions, while creating a “lasting legacy for arts and culture in NE Lincolnshire.”
As Pete Massey, Director of Yorkshire, Arts Council England, said: “Our Big Picture is a really exciting project that will create a fully accessible and inclusive creative community space in Grimsby. We’re thrilled to have supported this initiative through our Capital Investment Programme, which aims to give more communities around the country vital creative spaces and hubs, so that more people in more places can experience art and culture on their doorstep.”
Our Big Picture thanked Arts Council England, the Garfield Weston Foundation, The Pilgrim Trust, North East Lincolnshire Council and The Foyle Foundation for their “unwavering support” throughout the process.
Part of the Gi Grimsby News team since 2020.