Rich Mix Will Project Messages Of Support On Its Building Tonight

James Drury
By James Drury Last edited 106 months ago
Rich Mix Will Project Messages Of Support On Its Building Tonight

Rich Mix hosts hundreds of artists every year.

The campaign to save east London art centre Rich Mix from closure due to legal action by Tower Hamlets council will become very visible tonight, as messages of support are projected onto the arts centre's facade (whose shutters, shown above, can lower to form a flat surface).

Staff at the centre say they are fighting demands from the council to repay an £850,000 loan in one lump sum, rather than in staggered payments. They say the action will bankrupt the organisation, which hosts around 650 events a year from its Bethnal Green Road base.

Over 11,000 people have signed a petition in support of Rich Mix. Comments made on the change.org website, plus tweets saying why #RichMixMatters, will be projected onto the building from 8.45pm today.

"It will be a pictorial record of the wide and diverse range of people who have told us why they support our arts and community work," says chief executive Jane Earl.

According to the petition, Rich Mix generates a small operating profit each year. Its only public funding is from Arts Council England and is around 11% of annual turnover. It receives no on-going financial support from Tower Hamlets council.

The council says it has a duty to pursue unpaid debts, and does not regard the venue as in danger of closure, nor is it seeking such an outcome.

Last Updated 18 May 2015