Supporting a Diverse Creative Network
Here at Sussex Contemporary, we celebrate, support, and promote contemporary artists, makers, and craftspeople, providing them with opportunities to showcase their work.
We have a vibrant annual programme of four major exhibitions, two national and two regional, for Sussex-linked creatives.
In 2025, we introduced democratic exhibition opportunities into our programming to increase the support we offer within the creative sector and to provide the chance to be included in curated exhibitions.
Our annual exhibition, The Sussex, is the largest showcase of art by living artists with a connection to Sussex in the world. It attracts thousands of visitors annually and is open to artists, makers, and craftspeople at all stages of their careers.
Alongside our exhibitions, we also provide a series of workshops and talks, called
'The Business of Art' These talks and workshops are carefully tailored to support the creative practices of artists, makers, and craftspeople, helping them achieve greater commercial success.
GO SEE OUR EXHIBITIONS
*
GO SEE OUR EXHIBITIONS *
ODYSSEY: THE OPEN
Hastings Contemporary
March 28th - May 31st 2026
Hastings Contemporary and Sussex Contemporary have partnered to launch an open exhibition.
Hastings Contemporary’s first open exhibition celebrates the creative force of Sussex, bringing together artwork by over 153 artists from across the region. Each work offers a unique and personal reflection on the theme of Odyssey, journeying through time, place, imagination and experience.
The exhibited works were selected from over 2,600 entries, and span painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, textiles, ceramics, sculpture, film and installation, reflecting the ambition, diversity and creative bravery of the region.
This milestone gallery wide exhibition presents an exciting snapshot of artistic excellence in Sussex in 2026. All works are available to purchase.
Theme: Odyssey
This theme reflects on journeys shaped by tides, time, and transformation, on the restless call of the sea and the stories it inspires. Hastings, a place long defined by its proximity to the coast, provides a fitting setting for such explorations.
CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES
INSPIRED BY STANDEN
THE SUSSEX 2026
ARTWAVE 2026
A New Phase of Growth and Partnership
It started with one major regional exhibition in 2022, and now, as we end our fourth year in 2025, we have an annual programme of four exhibitions, along with our dynamic programme of workshops and talks, THE BUSINESS OF ART.
We now work with creatives and collectors from across the UK, creating new and dynamic exhibitions that have raised the profile of our exhibitions and the individual artists who participate.
2026 sees us delivering major partnership projects as we embark upon the next chapter of Sussex Contemporary.
In October 2025, a groundbreaking long-term partnership with HASTINGS CONTEMPORARY was announced publicly. Working together to drive a revenue-sharing collaboration allows us to contribute to the economy of the existing publicly funded charity sector of the industry.
We will be announcing another major partnership in the coming weeks…
OUR APPROACH
-
EXHIBITIONS
Sussex Contemporary runs a vibrant programme of art exhibitions, a mix of national and regional opportunities presented in Sussex.
After 3 years of running selected and judged projects, we introduced democratic exhibitions into our annual programming. This has been done in the belief that well-curated exhibitions bring cohesion to themed exhibitions regardless of how the work came together.
We are nomadic, allowing us to show cross-country, locations include:
BRIGHTON, DITCHLING, LEWES, NEWHAVEN, HASTINGS, EAST GRINSTEAD, PLUMPTON.
With our planning reaching as far forward as 9 years, we are fully committed to delivering excellent art programmes and exhibtions within the county
-
INSPIRATION
The rolling Downs and breathtaking coastlines of Sussex have inspired artists for centuries, including some of the most celebrated artists who have ever lived. Picasso, Miró, Man Ray, Moore, Constable, Turner, Burra, Grant, Bell, Beardsley, Ravilious, Nash, and Grayson Perry all have links with Sussex.
We have spent the last four years building up a vibrant and exciting community of creatives and art lovers, bringing over 25k visitors to the region.
Listening and observing the creative sector is really important to the work we are doing. We use a 360-degree feedback model across all our projects, enabling critical, informed growth thats supports the creatives and the work we do here at Sussex Contemporary.
-
PARTNERSHIPS THAT WORK
Jo founded the company as a commercial entity, something we are incredibly proud of.
In a time when it’s becoming increasingly challenging to raise funds in the public, charity and non-profit cultural sector, we can, and do support beyond the work we are doing with the creative community.
Our partnership with HASTINGS CONTEMPORARY is a dynamic example of the work we are doing to support the region's existing museums and galleries.
We have both committed to a 6-year partnership under a revenue-sharing model, in which we are working together to deliver a groundbreaking opportunity for contemporary artists and introduce a new revenue stream into the establishment’s funding model. It’s a biannual project that we are very much looking forward to developing and growing the partnership in the years to come.
Alongside the work we do supporting the existing sector, we have also formed most excellent corporate and commercial sponsorship and partnership relationships that deliver equal value to both parties.
If you are interested in having a chat about a potential relationship do drop Jo an email at jo@sussexcontemporary.com