Mission

Our mission

1         We exist to save William and Catherine Blake's Cottage and to restore it in time for William Blake’s bicentenary in 2027, and then to open it to the public as a site of cultural heritage.

2         Our values are inspired by William Blake and his works, and we will act inclusively, openly, democratically and with integrity in everything we do.

3         Once the cottage is restored, we will establish a permanent cultural project based on the highest standards of museum design, involving innovative educational methods and state-of-the-art information technology, with careful consideration for sustainability, for the benefit of the nation and of interest to all age groups and all communities.

4         We will integrate our work with Blake-related activities locally, nationally and around the world. We will procure local and national craftspeople, artists, and suppliers in our work.

Statement of intent and values

1         The Trust recognises that in his work as an artist, poet and printer William Blake aspired to free humanity from social, intellectual and economic constraints, so that it might engage in higher forms of solidarity, equality, consciousness, perception and artistic endeavour in harmony with the natural world.

2         The Trust further recognises that the deep seated and ancient tradition to which William Blake belonged and contributed, relied for its success on collaborative, open, transparent and inclusive ways of working, partnerships, democratic practises and the nurturing of skills, crafts and creative activities.

3         The Trust seeks to embody these values in its internal and external relations and in its programme of work and alliances, as well as its commercial and developmental decisions.

4         Therefore, recognising that it has a responsibility to the legacy of William Blake and his wife Catherine, to the local, national and international community, and to admirers of the Blakes worldwide to act with integrity and dedication, it will work assiduously to restore and open Blake’s cottage to the public by 2027, the bicentenary of his death.

5         The Trust will work with a wide range of partners and stakeholders to achieve this objective, and to create on the site and within the wider Bognor area where appropriate, facilities that reach out to the broadest and most diverse audiences possible to create opportunities for entertainment, learning, inspiration, knowledge exchange and artistic creation based on the words, images and philosophy of William Blake. We will employ local and national craftspeople, artists, and suppliers in our work.

6         The Trust seeks to establish a permanent cultural project based on the highest standards of museum design, involving state-of-the-art information technology and innovative educational methods, with careful consideration for sustainability, for the benefit of the nation and of interest to all age groups and all communities.