About BHAC

Who we are

Brighton & Hove Arts Council (BHAC) was established in 1974 to promote the vibrant not-for-profit creative arts communities in Brighton & Hove and in the neighbouring towns and villages of East and West Sussex.

We are a registered charity run entirely by volunteers, with close to 100 member groups. Between us, we support and encourage a wide range of activities and events, including painting and other visual arts and crafts, drama, music, singing, opera, dance, and the spoken and written word.

What we do

We promote the programmes and events of our member groups, helping them to reach out to wider audiences through our own core activities and special projects, thereby contributing to the cultural diversity and the health and wellbeing of the communities in which we live.

Activities

Arts Diary: published four times a year, this attractive free booklet lists information on all the events put on by our member groups. Copies are distributed throughout the area and are posted directly to our individual and businesses supporters and member groups.  More information about the printed Arts Diary and how to advertise in it can be found here.  The regularly updated online version is available here.

The BHAC Website: this user-friendly website and its online calendar provide information from our member groups on their programmes and events, as well as highlighting our own programme of events. We in turn recognise all the businesses and other organisations that support our work
throughout the year.

For the very latest news, go to the news section.

Social Media: you can also follow us via our regular postings on Facebook and Instagram.

Our Events

We organise a series of events each year to provide member groups with opportunities to showcase their work more widely and to gain public recognition for their many activities and achievements.

Art Show: held each year in late spring, this an opportunity for our artists to exhibit, and for visitors to purchase, the remarkable work produced by the members of our various visual arts groups. Come along and enjoy the show and help nominate the winner of the BHAC Artist of the Year Award.

Contribution to the Arts Award: this annual event recognises those who have made truly outstanding personal contributions to the not-for-profit arts sector in the previous 12 months. Each is nominated by our group members and supporters. If you would like to nominate someone, do let us know.

Drama Awards: held each year in the autumn, this is a celebration of the many talents to be recognised in the work of the not-for-profit theatrical and operatic groups across Sussex. Details of groups and performances to be adjudicated are shown in the Arts Diary for September to November.

Poetry Competition & Festival: held once every two years, this is a competition for Sussex poets culminating in a day-long festival of poetry reading and prize-giving, featuring the very best of our local and national talent. The festival audience is open to poets and non-poets alike, from all
backgrounds, interests and age groups; come and enjoy the fun!

See all our recent events here

Our Members

Our member groups are at the heart of everything we do.  Together they provide artists and performers with a wide range of skills and interests with opportunities to enjoy, develop and present their skills in front of audiences from across Sussex.  For more information, press here.

Our Supporters

BHAC funds its work through membership subscriptions, local authority and other grants, and through its individual and business supporters

Current committee

Following our most recent AGM on 20 June 2022, the following were elected as Officers and Committee Members of BHAC, as follows:

All of the above were confirmed in their current roles as Trustees of BHAC.

Our Volunteers

BHAC and its members are grateful for the help from all those who help organise and run our individual events, projects, publications, and website.  If you would like to join this friendly group of volunteers, please use our contact form to get in touch.  Whatever your skills or available time, you will be most welcome!