Side Gallery, a city institution which has been at the heart of the arts community for more than 45 years, has announced 'with great sadness' that it will be closing its doors this weekend.
The gallery on Newcastle Quayside, which has been dedicated to documentary photography since 1977, has fallen victim to funding cuts and the cost of living crisis. It will close at 5pm this Easter Sunday, with fans calling the move "heartbreaking" and "terrible news".
But at the same time, a fund-raiser is underway in the hope of saving the two-floor venue, which over the decades has built up a long-standing reputation for hosting documentary film and photography exhibitions that highlight social concerns. In a post on its Facebook page, the gallery - which is based at 5-9 Side, adjacent to Side Cinema - announced the news "with great sadness", saying: "Side Gallery will close to the public due to critical funding cuts and the cost of living crisis.
