Support our Crowdfunder!

We are hoping to raise £15,000 to support the continuing operations/physical space of the East Anglian Folklore Centre. The space has been self funded for the first year but this is no longer tenable... so we need your help to keep the door open and the space/resource available!

Here's what we have achieved in the last 9 months:

- 9 workshops (including our heritage crafts STRAW CLUB) and 9 multi- platform events to a total audience of nearly 500 lovely people. 9 more events in the pipeline, all of which will go ahead weather we have our space or not... but we's love to keep making these opportunities for folk to gather!

We have worked with more than 34 artists/musicians/creatives to deliver these.

- Delivering a conference paper and a blog post for the Lincolnshire Folk Tales Project (Nottingham Trent) and a talk for the Norfolk Folklore Society.

- We house the work of 31 artists in our little shop area. 25 are from East Anglia. We have paid out over £5000 to our artists since opening in October, 24.

- A reference library with over 700 items to be read and used in the space. Researchers spend an average of 2.5 hours a time in the space and we see someone make use of the library at least twice a week.

- 31 lovely members. Two zines so far with two more planned.

- Open 4-5 days a week, most weeks since October 2024. We have lost count of the number of visitors...

And here's what it has cost us:

£12,525

&

Just over 1000 unpaid working hours.

What will the funds raised be spent on:

A year's rent for our room at the Minories £ 8,400 - We love our home here. Not only do we get our internet/utilities covered... but we get access to the great community of artists, creatives and social enterprises gathered under the same roof. And our money is being well spent helping to support an incredible regional gallery.

Potential Business Rates £ 1,500

417 hours of Gemma/Bethan's Time (At current living wage rate) £ 5,100

We will be setting up a CIC so your money will be accountably taken care of. We are choosing this route because it broadens the amount of funding accessible to us in the long run... but also because we would love for the centre to have the capacity to turn a profit. Our ambition would be to use this to support community and artist opportunities in the region.

Testimonies

The East Anglian Folklore Centre is a vital and inspiring community project. It’s a true blessing to Colchester and to the arts in the region, especially at a time when we are so deeply in need of connection and shared human stories in an increasingly complex world.

The Centre offers a meaningful refuge for artists and storytellers in the local area. It provides not just a creative space, but a powerful narrative thread that connects us to Colchester, to East Anglia, and to the deeper traditions of British folklore. The care and love poured into the curation of the space at the Minories Gallery is evident—from the artworks and installations to the thoughtfully gathered collection of local lore and fables, all celebrating the rich folkloric traditions of this region.

The talks, events, and intimate festivals organised by the Centre have served as vibrant showcases for local talent. More than that, they have fostered genuine community spirit, bringing together creatives, storytellers, and audiences in a shared cultural experience.

What has been achieved with limited resources is nothing short of extraordinary. I feel incredibly grateful that we have such an invaluable space in our community. I’ve had the privilege of performing for the Centre multiple times, both online and in person, sharing stories and connecting with the local audience.

What we have here is something unique, rare, and essential—a space that not only preserves our connection to the human soul, but also roots us deeply in the spirit, landscape, and stories of Colchester and East Anglia. // Perry Berline, Local Artist & Writer.

I've loved having my jewellery in your wonderful space. It's a truly unique space and thoroughly needed. // Helen Burgess, Jewellery Artist.

We popped in last sunday and my boys were fascinated by the artefacts and loved hearing you talk about the things they were picking up. // @toni_andtheboys

..projects like this REALLY matter. // @sharonborkowskythejourney