Friends of Kettering Art Gallery and Museum

Known as Friends of KAGAM, the Charity was formed in the early twentieth century to promote the activities of the Alfred East Gallery and Manor House Museum and to help to finance acquisitions and conservation. Over the last couple of years, their activities have widened: they have recreated tours of the London Road Cemetery and historical tours of the Town and Church. They hold monthly talks on art and history.

The Friends are also part of the town’s Cultural Consortium with English Heritage, Historic England and Kettering Borough Council on the HSHAZ (High Street Heritage Action Zone) — the rejuvenation of the cultural aspect of the High Street — to explore how history and culture can help reinvigorate the town centre. They are part of GLaM, a two-year project to extend and modernise the Gallery, Library and Museum. What’s more, they’ve also opened a Pop-Up Art Gallery, ARTworks Creative Space in Newlands Centre, Kettering, which showcases local Kettering and District Art Society artists and provides a space for community activities, exhibitions and classes.