Following a £3.1million refurbishment this Grade 1 scheduled monument will reopen in September as a unique arts and heritage centre for the south coast. Housing a permanent exhibition on the history of the 700-year-old building, GHT will also be home to two new gallery spaces showcasing specially commissioned contemporary art and period works from prestigious south coast collections.
The project will breathe new life into this iconic building, culturally reanimating the area and retelling the lost stories of GHT for new audiences. A full arts and heritage programme featuring exhibitions, events, workshops and talks is in development with high profile artists, writers, historians and performers already confirmed.
An in-house cafe with food and drinks from local providers, a community arts and heritage library and a shop selling a full range of GHT merchandise will complete the offer. The building’s launch will act as a catalyst in the rejuvenation of Southampton’s Old Town as well as becoming a key attraction for visitors to the city. GHT’s position on Southampton’s waterfront will also make the building a must-see destination for cruise passengers arriving in the city.
The September launch is perfectly timed for the start of the Mayflower 400 programme – when Southampton will become a key player in international anniversary commemorations of the Pilgrim Fathers’ journey to the New World on board the Mayflower ship.
GHT has been conceived, developed and managed by Daniel Crow, director of ‘a space’ arts. Recently awarded National Portfolio status by Arts Council England, ‘a space’ arts has been supporting Southampton’s arts community since 2000 – and GHT is the organisation’s most ambitious project to date.
Daniel said: “This project has been seven years in the making and we can’t wait to gift God’s House Tower back to the public. Our exhibitions have been specially curated to bring the building and its history to life, and our inaugural programme will include work by some of the most exciting contemporary artists working in the south today. The works we have chosen for our Collections Gallery have never been seen together in public before – and will help shine a light on GHT’s incredible and unique history.”
He added: “The programme at God’s House Tower will allow its rich history and heritage to inspire the arts and for the arts to interpret the spaces in new and interesting ways. We hope that all visitors will have a thoroughly enjoyable journey discovering this intriguing building and the role it played in the city and nation’s history as well as all the fascinating stories of the people behind the Tower. We want them to leave feeling they have a better understanding of this important part of our local and national heritage. This is an exciting new development for the city of Southampton and the South of England.”
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