Last week Bristol art gallery Arnolfini announced an ambitious programme of free public events to accompany its forthcoming exhibition Threads. Unusually for the arts venue, though, this series of activities for adults and young people held throughout the summer holiday will be funded entirely by a crowdfunding campaign.
Arnolfini is part of the Arts Council's portfolio of cultural projects for 2023 to 2026. However, to be able to offer public events with the frequency and accessibility being proposed with Threads, the organisation is hoping to raise £20,000 in the coming weeks using the platform Art Happens, which allows members of the public to pledge donations with a range of rewards on offer including tote bags, artist embroidered cushions and studio visits.
Keiko Higashi, head of engagement at Arnolfini, explained to Bristol Live what the extra money would allow the organisation to achieve. She said: "If we are successful with the campaign, that would really help ramp up our [events] programme and allow us to involve more artists as well.
