Metropole Art Collection

The Folkestone Art Trust is a non-profit group, formed to safeguard and manage the art collection acquired by the Metropole Gallery. The gallery’s governing body, the Metropole Arts Trust, evolved into the town’s ‘Creative Folkestone’, which is primarily concerned with the regeneration through art of the areas in and around Folkestone’s old harbour. Part of the Trust’s role is to ensure that the work in what is now the Metropole Art Collection is frequently on view, a commitment kept by curating regular exhibitions.

The Arts Centre originally opened to the public in September 1961 the most prominent protagonist, amongst many being Sir Kenneth Clark, (later Lord Clark) and later its main financial benefactor was Roger De Haan. Distinguished patrons included Henry Moore and John Piper. Since then the collection has expanded to include works by Edward Ardizzone, Peter Blake, Sandra Blow, John Bratby, Robert Buhler, Bernard Dunstan, Elizabeth Frink, Gertrude Hermes, Blair Hughes Stanton, Morris Kestleman, Eric Mellon, David Oxtoby, Victor Pasmore, John Piper, Lucien Pissaro, Orovida Pissaro, Michael Rothenstein, Julian Trevelyan and Carel Weight to name but a few of the 20th-century artists who have made a significant contribution to British art.