The gallery's core mission is to be “an agent of change” through the commissioning, exhibition and preservation of works highlighting social concerns, while celebrating the diverse lives and landscapes across the north-east, UK, and the globe.” Sadly, over the last few months the gallery has been struggling under the weight of the cost of living crisis and critical funding cuts - the reduction of ACE funding, combined with the rising energy bills have led to the loss of 6 staff and eventually, the decision to close the gallery.
This loss of such an essential cultural cornerstone for Newcastle has left many heartbroken - thousands of fans of the gallery have spoken up, with one saying, “Newcastle has a strong reputation nationally for being a hotbed of socially conscious photography. During the Thatcher years some of the most enduring and indicting images of neoliberal social upheaval were made in the north east by members of the Amber side collective, and shown at the Side.” They go on to say, “the closure of the gallery puts Newcastle's relationship with photojournalism at risk, where once we would see the finest photojournalists display their work and give talks within the city.”
The Amber film and photography collective, came together in 1968 and opened the gallery in 1977 - it became one of the Arts Council England's "national portfolio organisations" in 2018, but the application for another four years has been unsuccessful, meaning a loss of crucial financial support. This has led to questions on the government's promises of "levelling up culture" and the where their priorities lie in terms of funding, as the loss of such a gallery is a loss of crucial cultural heritage.
Part of the gallery’s long term recovery strategy is to apply to a larger number of funding bodies in an effort to ensure it survives the current crisis, as well as spreading the word online for donations to tide them over and support their aim to reopen around September 2024. The online fundraiser, initially for £60,000, raised over £10,000 in less than 24 hours, with gallery curator Kerry Lowes saying she is "overwhelmed" by the response the appeal. Side have expressed their love and appreciation for all those who came together in efforts to save such an important institution, and shared their hope to reopen.
