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.
"We are doing everything possible to secure additional funding." It added: "However, our future is uncertain and we now face the possibility of permanent closure." But it has hopes of being back in business in the future, with a message to followers saying: "With your support we can continue working towards our target of re-opening in September 2024."
Side is the home of Amber Film & Photography Collective which was established in Newcastle in 1968 to document working class culture - with Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen, creator of the famous Byker book of photographs, one of its founder members - and its photo and film clip archive makes up a fascinating social record of Tyneside communities over the years.
There was shocked reaction to announcement of the gallery's closure, with an outpouring of concern from its fans. Responses on its Facebook page included: "This is awful news - really hope you can get the funding you need"; "Such a loss. You have produced thought provoking, challenging and often beautiful exhibitions for so long" and "Terrible news as this is a unique and brilliant gallery".
One comment said: "Sudden and shocking news. This is a vital resource and should never face closure. I can't believe this happening again after so much hard work and success in getting grant funding a couple of years ago followed by a sympathetic re-development."
Another read: "Newcastle can’t afford to lose this gem of artistic and cultural heritage. It is one of the most important documentary photography galleries in the UK in my opinion. I’m not just sad, but frustrated at the possibility of this closure. For some of us, it is a part of our idea of home - coming back to visit whenever I’m in town. It is the repository of local culture, memory and history. It’s heartbreaking."
The Martin Parr Foundation, which houses an archive of work by the famous documentary photographer and photo journalist, is among those now keen to spread the word, saying it was saddened by the news. The Foundation also houses some posters produced by Side Gallery and prints from many photographers Side has supported, including Konttinen.
Urging people to support the gallery at its time of need, it said: "For nearly 50 years they have been a beacon of excellence showing documentary work, much of it taken in the North East" and called it a freely-accessible resource in Newcastle and dedicated home to documentary film and photography.
The gallery's closing date on Sunday coincides with the last day of its current exhibition A Wounded Landscape - Bearing Witness to the Holocaust. To support the online fund-raiser, which has a £60,000 target, see here.
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