Need

Illustration is the most accessible of the visual arts. For many people, it is their first experience of visual culture, and it can be an enormously effective learning tool. However, illustration is often under-valued. Currently there is no non-commercial gallery in the UK dedicated to promoting and supporting the art of illustration. Large collections of significant illustrations that exist in major galleries are rarely displayed, and the rich variety of illustration is rarely celebrated.

Solution

The House of Illustration places illustration centre stage and gives it the critical attention it deserves. We are a world-first creative hub where skills are developed, work is promoted and the imagination is ignited. Close relationships and lending agreements with major cultural institutions will allow us to show illustration currently hidden in basements or archives, and our activities and learning programme ensure that the widest possible audience can appreciate and experience illustration.

Aims

To be a flagship centre promoting illustration and its power to support communication and the arts.

Activities

» A public programme of activity including exhibitions and events raises our profile and promotes illustration to a wide audience.
» Our interactive website allows our audiences to engage virtually with the House of Illustration.

Success will be measured by the number of visitors to our exhibitions, events and other activities, as well as traffic to our website.

To nurture new talent, and to be a creative hub for artists working in every aspect of illustration.

Activities

» 'The Book Illustration Competition' and related activities support and develop emerging illustration talent.
» Masterclasses held in higher education colleges offer valuable professional development opportunities for students of illustration.

Success will be measured by the number of registered users on our competitions site, competition entrants, and participants in masterclasses.

To reach out to young people, families and the general public through our learning programme.

Activities

» Our innovative learning programme reaches pupils and teachers in the London boroughs of Camden, Islington, Westminster and the City of London.
» Informal learning activities including talks and events reach families, young people and the general public throughout London and further afield.

Success will be measured by the number of children, young people, teachers and families reached by formal and informal learning activities.

To educate the public in the art of illustration by operating a centre open to the public.

Activities

» Fundraising and profile raising activities will secure the building on the King’s Cross regeneration site that has been identified as our future home.
» Quentin Blake’s archive, pledged to the House of Illustration, will form our permanent collection.

Success will be demonstrated by our ongoing activity and securing funding to create a permanent home for the House of Illustration.

Impact

Long term, the project will see the opening of the world’s first flagship centre dedicated entirely to promoting the art of illustration, and be a hub for all aspects of illustration. The building will host a changing programme of exhibitions, a learning space and other facilities, and will have an already developed audience through our current programme of activity.

Risk

The main risk that could affect the project would be achieving the House of Illustration’s ambitions within budget and timescales, particularly in relation to a capital project to operate a permanent home for the art of illustration. To minimise this risk, the House of Illustration has an extremely experienced board of trustees, a clear business plan and fundraising strategy, and will ensure that progress is closely monitored.

Reporting

Donors will receive regular updates and reports, face to face opportunities to discuss the project and involvement in our progress.

Budget - Project Cost: £50,000

Current Funding / Pledges

Source	Amount
Pro bono office support from Brunswick PR	£40,000	Guaranteed

Location

The House of Illustration’s offices are located in Central London, and the building that has been identified as our future home is located in the King’s Cross regeneration site. Our learning programme currently operates primarily in schools throughout the London boroughs of Camden, Islington, Westminster and the City of London. Our online competitions and interactive website are accessible from across the world.

Beneficiaries

Our wide and varied audiences and others engaged with the House of Illustration including pupils and teachers, families, children and young people, older audiences, student illustrators, established artists, our donors and supporters and others interested in the art of illustration.

Why Us?

The House of Illustration has a skilled and knowledgeable board of trustees with significant experience in a wide range of relevant industries. In addition, a dedicated and experienced Campaign Board are committed to securing funding to open a permanent home for the House of Illustration, assisted by a group of senior volunteers.

Read more about the Charity running this project.

People

Larissa Joy: Chairman, House Of Illustration

Larissa's career spans private equity, media, advertising, PR and law, and she is currently a Partner at strategic communications firm The Assembly.

Flora Craig: Project Director, House Of Illustration

Flora has been leading the House of Illustration since 2007 bringing a wealth of fundraising and arts management experience to the project.

Board Of Trustees

The House of Illustration's experienced trustees are responsible for the direction and ongoing success of the project.

Campaign Committee

The Campaign Committee are committed to securing funding for the House of Illustration's capital ambitions.