Sadly, the KUBE art gallery is being forced to close at the end of January 2010 due to funding being withdrawn. It is a purpose built, award winning art gallery in Poole, Dorset, and houses an internationally significant collection of art, runs a successful education programme for schools and the community, and is the only big visual arts space between Southampton and the Tate gallery in St Ives, Cornwall! A petition has been started to help save this unique organisation, as well as a march and the Save the KUBE facebook group - please add your voice!

DON'T LET THIS PASS YOU BY - We can all do something:

Sign the Petition: www.gopetition.com/online/33348.html

See details of the 16th Jan March: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=223144731378&index=1

Join the Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=199890648226

Comments about the closure: www.kubepoole.org.uk/commentary.aspx 

Alternatively letters can be directed to the Bournemouth & Poole College Principal Lawrence Vincent, to the Daily Echo letters page or to your local MPs. Thank-you for your support.

Come and see what may be the last exhibition at KUBE
FIRST & LAST - Poole High School Art Show
26th - 30th January / FREE ENTRY
We are pleased to be hosting exhibition of A-level art-based students work from Poole High School as one of our final shows. The title is inspired by the students' first show being KUBE's possible last. Multi-media work including installations, fine art, graphics and photography by local students.

KUBE Closure Statement
It is with very deep regret that the Trustees have announced that KUBE (formerly The Study Gallery) will close from 31st January 2010 and Abi Kremer's exhibition, 'Colour & Inspiration: Paintings 1979 - 2009', will be the last in the unique building. Bournemouth and Poole College have decided to withdraw revenue support following funding difficulties, leaving no option but to close their doors.

KUBE is a vibrant and forward thinking organisation that has been central to the revitalisation of the visual arts in Poole. Over the years Poole has been treated to some extraordinary exhibitions curated by KUBE that have brought internationally acclaimed artists work to Dorset, including Antony Gormley, Tracey Emin, Micheal Kenny, Mark Wallinger, Damien Hirst and Sarah Lucas whilst also ensuring that local and regional artists had a platform to exhibit and share work. KUBE has also housed and cared for the Bournemouth & Poole College’s art collection which has enabled the public easy access to some truly great works of art by such notable names as Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Jacob Epstein, Patrick Heron and Briget Riley.

Literally hundreds of local artists have contributed to the Gallery’s programme over the years through exhibitions, events and supporting new ideas. KUBE has tried to ensure that it’s programme reflected the needs of the local community and artists networks from regular workshops for under 5’s, children, teens and families, live music, work with local businesses to experimental residencies for artists that encouraged partnerships.

Thousands of schools pupils and young people have visited the Gallery over the years, seeing and engaging with art work that perhaps now they will have to travel further a field to enjoy. KUBE had a national reputation for it’s education work and action research projects and won three national awards for it’s innovative gallery education programme and work with young people.

This Summer saw a record number of people visiting the gallery to enjoy an exhibition that was designed specifically for family audiences - James Johnson Perkins' RETRO ROBOT, the Gallery’s ever popular monthly Art Boot Sales ensured that artists and makers could sell directly to the public and was just one of the fresh new approaches to visual art that KUBE had developed over the last year.

Despite the loss of it’s bespoke building, KUBE’s dedicated team are confident that aspects of the planned programme for 2010 can be delivered outside of the building. This is an exciting prospect and challenge but one that perhaps will highlight the sad loss of yet another cultural venue in the region.

The KUBE team would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the artists, visitors, volunteers and other supporters who have worked with us over the last decade and who we hope to work with again in the future... watch this space!