The Friends of Penlee House Gallery and Museum came into being in 1987. We’re a registered Charity.
Our mission is to support the work of Penlee House, which presents the archaeology, history, environment and rich cultural heritage of Penwith, and is famous for its outstanding collection of art from West Cornwall, in particular the Newlyn School and the Lamorna Colony. We raise funds through subscriptions, donations, bequests and activities such as lectures. We contribute to the purchase of significant works of art and artefacts to enhance the collection. We give financial support to Penlee House’s programme of activities, by contributing to exhibition costs, and educational and outreach activities. And we help pump-prime significant developments of Penlee House’s work.
As a member, you will benefit from free entry to the Gallery and Museum at any time and from a reduction on most items for sale in the Shop. We organise an annual programme of lectures and other events, which are both informative and sociable, and members are invited without charge to private views. All members receive a print copy of our magazine, Artefact, which we publish three times a year to coincide with each new exhibition. We have also introduced a regular e-newsletter to keep in touch with our members. You can subscribe to the newsletter using the form on the website.
The Friends have a formal agreement with Penzance Town Council stating how we will work together in Penlee House’s interests, and we meet regularly to discuss the strategy for the future and how the position of Penlee House can be secured and strengthened.
The Friends have recently decided to move from being an unincorporated charity to being a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), to give us a firm legal basis with more scope for supporting the Penlee House.
As a Friend, you join a community which loves Penlee House and its collections and will speak up for its importance not only to those who live in West Cornwall, but to many far beyond. Thank you.
The Friends of Penlee House is a registered charity (No: 1206841), the object of which is to support the aims and activities of Penlee House Gallery and Museum, home to the county’s best known collection of work by artists of the Newlyn School.
