It is with very deep regret that the Trustees announce that Abi Kremer's exhibition will be the last in this building and that KUBE will close from 31st January 2010.
KUBE opened as The Study Gallery in 2000, designed by Richard Horden in a signature contemporary visual arts building on the campus of Bournemouth & Poole College. The Gallery has run an inventive and highly regarded programme of exhibitions and events with a special reputation for it’s educational activity. The Gallery was one of the early Lottery projects, securing a grant of £1.8 million from the Arts Council Lottery fund.
Funding difficulties associated with the decision of Bournemouth & Poole College to withdraw revenue support from KUBE have left Trustees no alternative but to seek early closure of KUBE and take steps to wind up the charity.
Sibyl Fine King, Chair of the Board of Directors of KUBE said, “ I am profoundly saddened by this decision, as it will remove one of the very few specialist visual arts buildings from the conurbation and the County, and weaken the cultural fabric of Dorset”
KUBE is a vibrant and forward thinking organisation that has been central to the revitalisation of the visual arts in Poole. Over the years Poole has been treated to some extraordinary exhibitions curated by KUBE that have brought internationally acclaimed artists work to Dorset, including Antony Gormley, Tracey Emin, Micheal Kenny, Mark Wallinger, Damien Hirst and Sarah Lucas whilst also ensuring that local and regional artists had a platform to exhibit and share work.
Literally hundreds of local artists have contributed to the Gallery’s programme over the years through exhibitions, events and supporting new ideas, it is one of the few galleries that openly invited proposals for events and exhibitions from the public. Always approachable and open to new ideas KUBE tried to ensure that it’s programme reflected the needs of the local community and artists networks from regular workshops for under 5’s, children and families, live music, work with local businesses to experimental residencies for artists that encouraged partnerships.
KUBE has also housed and cared for the Bournemouth & Poole College’s art collection which has enabled the public easy access to some truly great works of art by such notable names as Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Jacob Epstein, Patrick Heron and Briget Riley.
Thousands of schools pupils and young people have visited the Gallery over the years, seeing and engaging with art work that perhaps now they will have to travel further a field to enjoy. KUBE had a national reputation for it’s education work and action research projects and won three national awards for it’s innovative gallery education programme and work with young people.
This Summer saw a record number of people visiting the gallery to enjoy an exhibition that was designed specifically for family audiences - RETRO ROBOT, the Gallery’s ever popular monthly Art Boot Sales ensured that artists and makers could sell directly to the public and was just one of the fresh new approaches to visual art that KUBE had developed over the last year.
Despite the loss of it’s bespoke building, KUBE’s dedicated team are confident that aspects of the planned programme for 2010 can be delivered outside of the building, this is an exciting prospect and challenge but one that perhaps will highlight the sad loss of yet another cultural venue in the region.
The KUBE team would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the artists, visitors, volunteers and other supporters who have worked with us over the last decade and who we hope to work with again in the future... watch this space!