Pallant House Gallery in Chichester has launched a campaign to scrap admission charges in time for the London Olympics in 2012.
A gallery spokeswoman said: "Over the past seven years...the gallery has been building an endowment fund so that enough income will be generated to make admission free." But she declined to reveal the current total.
The "Free Entry by 2012" appeal aims to raise the £4m still needed to fund the initiative. The adult entry fee is currently £7.50. The spokeswoman said that if free entry was achieved, some temporary exhibitions would still carry a charge.
Campaign initiatives include a free admission day last month and the launch of the Pallant House Gallery art raffle, in which original works donated by artists and collectors can be won in a £2-a-ticket draw.
The gallery, an independent charitable trust, receives 25 per cent of its annual funding through grants, foundations and the district council. Admission fees and other sources such as commercial hire account for the rest.
The collection includes works by Frank Auerbach and Patrick Caulfield.
A gallery spokeswoman said: "Over the past seven years...the gallery has been building an endowment fund so that enough income will be generated to make admission free." But she declined to reveal the current total.
The "Free Entry by 2012" appeal aims to raise the £4m still needed to fund the initiative. The adult entry fee is currently £7.50. The spokeswoman said that if free entry was achieved, some temporary exhibitions would still carry a charge.
Campaign initiatives include a free admission day last month and the launch of the Pallant House Gallery art raffle, in which original works donated by artists and collectors can be won in a £2-a-ticket draw.
The gallery, an independent charitable trust, receives 25 per cent of its annual funding through grants, foundations and the district council. Admission fees and other sources such as commercial hire account for the rest.
The collection includes works by Frank Auerbach and Patrick Caulfield.
