Acton Arts Forum opened the W3 Gallery on the high street in September 2012, and it's been a raging success in bringing arts and culture to Acton, having offered 38 exhibitions of over 750 artists to well over 3,000 visitors.

W3 Gallery is a not for profit artistic space which curates and produces exhibitions by artists and arts organisations working across visual arts, sound, moving image and performance. The aim is to revitalise Acton High Street and bring arts and culture to diverse communities who are often excluded from the arts.

This space was generously offered by the George & Dragon pub, who now need the premises back in July 2015.

The Arts Forum wants to keep the Gallery alive by finding a new space on Acton High Street, where we can offer:
- exhibitions in a wide range of media
- talks, debates & events
- film screenings
- art classes
- music & entertainment
- heritage exhibitions
- public art & walks
- be a part of the upcoming Borough-wide Arts & Libraries project

What we'll deliver:

• begin new season of engaging arts & culture activities
• begin new season of vibrant exhibitions
• decant from current W3 Gallery and move into new space
• undertake any needed works to gas, electrics et al.
• undertake painting, decoration etc.
• identify a replacement space on Acton High Street (there are numerous vacant shopfronts)
• negotiate lease

Why it's a great idea:

Acton has an emerging, thriving arts culture which can offer many ways for local people to engage, enjoy and be creative...we just need a space to do it!

There are no other museums or art venues in Acton, and many residents do not take-up London’s wide variety of museums and galleries due to socioeconomic exclusion and intimidation by arts in traditional venues. We bring practicing artists into the community context--bridging the gap between arts practitioners and audiences. Acton Arts Forum strives to be inclusive, accessible and owned by the people of Acton.

Acton Arts Forum is the sole provider of this type of arts activity in Acton, and as a forum of working artists, arts organisations, and organisations dedicated to building the capacity and cultural capital of Acton. We want to overcome some local people’s ideas about the exclusivity of art, and subvert other local people’s ideas that Acton is a downtrodden, culturally barren place.

Steps to get it done:

• make the space fit for purpose
• create a vibrant, exciting schedule of exhibitions, workshops, classes, events, etc.
• get quotes for works to be undertaken
• identify a replacement space on the High Street
• launch event
• purchase furnishings
• work with the Council to secure a lease at sustainable rent

We already have...
+had initial discussions with Ealing Council who are in full support, and will offer help in securing a new premises as well as potentially supporting some of the legal/refurbishment costs
+an established audience of visitors to the current W3 Gallery
+a two year track record of running a successful gallery
+support for running costs
+artists with expertise/skills/qualifications who want to volunteer their time to undertake most of the refurbishment work
+a dedicated body of excellent volunteers who operate the gallery
+a grant to provide exhibitions/activities as part of an Ealing-wide Arts & Libraries project