About Us
Flatland Projects is an artist focussed organisation that focusses on commissioning and the development of artists at fragile or critical moments in their careers. Akin to Flatland’s artist-led origin (est. 2018) it’s programme of exhibitions, studio development opportunities, and community engaged work is based in Beeching Road Studios; a terrace of light industrial units dedicated to developing viable career pathways for the creative industries in Bexhill on Sea. Since 2021 Flatland has been leading Beeching Road Studios in it’s development as a centre for the development of emerging practices; housing 27 artist studios, arts organisations, and creative commercial businesses to facilitate and build infrastructure for the arts in the ever-changing political and economical landscape of coastal Britain.
Flatland’s exhibition programme focuses on presenting artists of hyper-local contexts concurrently to hosting international artists in dialogue with one another. Flatland encourages artists to take new risks, and to present their work amongst new discourses within the industrial neighbourhood of Bexhill. Parallel to the exhibitions programme we provide essential development opportunities that offer artists time and space to locate their practice within the artistic ecology of East Sussex; through programmes such as our year long studio development programme, and our 6 month young persons studio residency. Flatland is a small team of four people; our Director, Technical team, and our Young Persons Studio Lead. Our team albeit small focus on our critical work which is developed directly for the community which we serve in Bexhill on Sea.
Our Team
Director
Ben Urban
Head of Artist Development
Amy Mock
Head Technician
Billy Stanley
Curatorial Assistant
Eeshan Banerjee
Funding and Support
Flatland Projects receives regular funding from Arts Council England's Project Grants, and Rother District Council. The organisation has also previously received funding from the likes of Fluxus Arts Projects, Chalk Cliff Trust, East Sussex Arts Partnership, and Talent Accelerator.
Mission Statement
Flatland was founded to combat the gentrification of the coastal art scene which has been established majorly by a down from London community over the last 10 years. The founders of the organisation were born in East Sussex to working class parents, Flatland designs, develops, and establishes meaningful and progressive support for artists to realise, commission, and afford space to the production of ambitious contemporary art. Flatland's work combats sector-wide issues of socio-economic imbalance, and advocates to funders, local government, and gatekeepers for the improvement of the conditions which artist make their work in.