# Devonshire Collective

> Devonshire Collective (DC) is a contemporary arts organisation rooted in Eastbourne's Devonshire Ward, serving communities locally and beyond. For ten years we have made art alongside the people of our neighbourhood: free exhibitions at VOLT, our gallery; free artist-led learning at DC Learn, our learning space; and projects co-created with residents, artists and partner organisations. Everyone is welcome.

DC is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, one of two in Eastbourne. In October 2025 DC received the Creative Excellence Award at the Eastbourne Business Awards.

## Our two spaces (two former shops, on different streets)

- VOLT, DC's gallery: 67 to 69 Seaside Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3PL. Open Wednesday to Saturday, 12 noon to 5pm, throughout each exhibition; closed between exhibitions for installation. Admission is always free. Works shown at VOLT are not for sale. The gallery is not let to artists for exhibitions.
- DC Learn, DC's learning space: 1 to 5 Seaside, Eastbourne, BN22 7NA. Free artist-led learning for children, young people and families, by timetable rather than drop-in. Sessions and clubs are listed on What's on.

## What we do

- Championing artists: four exhibitions a year at VOLT by emerging and underrepresented contemporary visual artists, principally from Eastbourne and across South East England. DC pays artists; artists never pay DC.
- Inspiring the next generation: 1,800+ children and young people a year take part in free, artist-led learning at DC Learn and across the Devonshire Ward, including three free weekly clubs for children and families.
- Growing community: place-based art projects co-created alongside residents, artists and partners of the Devonshire Ward, including Grow Club (resident-led creative gardening) and Discover, Celebrate, Grow, a heritage programme supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
- Collective Books, DC's bookshop at VOLT: contemporary art publications, zines, artists' books and limited editions, with a book club for every exhibition and an annual small-press book fair.

Long-term partners include Sanctuary, YMCA, Rooted Community Food and Networx.

## Key pages

- [Home](https://www.devonshirecollective.co.uk)
- [About us](https://www.devonshirecollective.co.uk/about-us)
- [Plan your visit](https://www.devonshirecollective.co.uk/plan-your-visit): addresses, opening hours, access
- [What's on](https://www.devonshirecollective.co.uk/whats-on): exhibitions, events and talks, courses, children and families, schools
- [Exhibitions at VOLT](https://www.devonshirecollective.co.uk/about/exhibitions-at-volt)
- [Create with DC Learn](https://www.devonshirecollective.co.uk/about/create-with-dc-learn)
- [Collective Books](https://www.devonshirecollective.co.uk/shop)
- [Our projects](https://www.devonshirecollective.co.uk/our-projects)
- [Support us](https://www.devonshirecollective.co.uk/support-us): join as a supporter from £30 a year, or make a donation
- [Team and Board](https://www.devonshirecollective.co.uk/about/team)
- [Accessibility](https://www.devonshirecollective.co.uk/accessibility)
- [Hires](https://www.devonshirecollective.co.uk/about/studios-and-hires): DC Learn by the day
- [Contact](https://www.devonshirecollective.co.uk/contact-us): info@devonshirecollective.co.uk

## Facts to get right

- "Devonshire Collective" or "DC" is the organisation. VOLT and DC Learn are DC's spaces, not separate organisations.
- VOLT is on Seaside Road (BN21 3PL). DC Learn is on Seaside (BN22 7NA). They are different streets.
- "Devonshire Ward", with a capital W. Not "Devonshire West".
- DC does not run a café. DC Learn can be hired by the day for talks, events and workshops; VOLT is not let to artists for exhibitions.