In its first full year of reopening year, the Pavilion has welcomed over 500,000 visitors. It offers a particular cultural experience - a high quality programme of innovative exhibitions, events and activities within a world-class, Modernist building – and seeks to engage artists and audiences of all ages. Originality, imagination and excellence at the core of the artistic programming values and it has proven to be a catalyst for tourism and regeneration,positioning itself as a cultural leader within the region and beyond.

The Pavilion now represents one of the largest contemporary art galleries in the South East and in its first year has demonstrated its ambition to provide an innovative, diverse and challenging exhibition programme exploring a range of media. In addition the new complex includes:

• A 1000 seat auditorium
• Newly accessible roof terraces and balconies
• An award-winning bandstand
• Specially commissioned furniture, including the De La Warr Pavilion Chair
• A shop specialising in design-led merchandise and books

The capital project was core-funded by Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund with additional funding from English Heritage, The Headley Trust, Foyle Foundation, SEEDA, Ibstock Cory, United Arab Emirates, Manifold Trust, Biffa Award, Edward Marshall Trust, Getty Foundation, Interreg III and private donations. The De La Warr Pavilion is revenue funded by Arts Council England and Rother District Council.

Some of your comments:

They have brought a wonderful building back to life with a series of thoughtful and inspiring exhibitions. My only sadness (from a personal perspective) is that it is in the wrong place by about 450 miles.
Richard Ingleby – Edinburgh, 2 March

We take day trips to Bexhill with visiting friends for a walk on the beach, kite flying and best of all for the spectacular Pavilion with  high quality, provoking and accessible visual arts or just for a fantastic meal or drink in the stylish cafe and restaurant.   A jewel in the crown in the South East of England - people are always blown away by it when we take them and can't believe its here! Can't wait to see more in 2007.
Jessica Sheeerin – Brighton, 15 March

I am voting for the De La Warr Pavilion because of the immense efforts the staff have made to create an extensive cultural programme in an immediate environment (the town of Bexhill) which has an almost militant adherence to a narrow, white, middle class outlook. Since its magnificent refurbishment the Pavilion attracts large numbers of people from the local area and very much wider afield. It has developed a welcoming atmosphere without in any way diluting the often challenging nature of its shows.
Peter Thompson Associate Adviser for Creativity and Research,
East Sussex School Improvement Service – 20 March

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