Under-threat Brighton gallery in £15,000 Kickstarter appeal

A gallery promoting conservation issues is under threat – with founders looking for £15,000 in online donations to keep open.

ONCA opened in Brighton in November 2012 as part of the city’s London Road regeneration scheme.

The premises, which is the only inner city gallery promoting both art and ecology, presents contemporary exhibitions alongside performance and education.

But, despite raising awareness of a range of vital issues such as marine life and the trees, the gallery is facing a funding crisis.

It’s founders have now launched a campaign on Kickstarter to raise enough money to keep it open for at least the next six months.

Laura Coleman, who founded ONCA after working for three years with animals rescued from illegal trade in Bolivia said: “I see the gallery quickly becoming a hub for key conversations about environmental change, as art plays a powerful role in the engagement and education of younger generations.

“ONCA offers a space where creativity has the potential to inspire belief in positive action, and ultimately help to forge an environmentally aware, integrated and active society.”

Organisations they have supported the gallery include Birdlife International, Cape Farewell, the Sussex Wildlife Trust, Arts Council England and the Marine Conservation Society.

Patrons include Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas and writer Robert Macfarlane.

Dr Lucas said: “I’m very proud that Brighton is home to ONCA. The arts have a vital role to play in encouraging more people to care for our environment, and to take action to defend it.

“At a time of increasing environmental destruction, we need to reach the hearts and minds of as many people as we can with a positive message that urgent change is possible and desirable. ONCA shows how that can be done.”

The deadline for the campaign is April 27 at 1pm.

For more details and to donate visit here.