Beyond the Seafront - Join the list

Observer Building

This listing is to join the list to be part of the philanthropy cultural tour. Please note that, by booking, your reservation is not guaranteed. You will be added to a waiting list and our team will manually confirm your booking depending on interest and spaces available. An evening of an immersive journey through St Leonards and Hastings, created especially for philanthropists, funders, and nonprofit organisations who want to experience the creative pulse of our coastal towns firsthand. This guided walk brings you into the studios, performance spaces, and community hubs that shape our local arts ecology from grassroots makers to established cultural landmarks. Along the way, youll encounter live performances, microexhibitions, and short showcases curated to highlight the talent, diversity, and social impact that Hastings and St Leonards champion. Midway through the route, we gather for a shared meal (food is optional) featuring locally sourced dishes, offering time to connect, reflect, and build new relationships across the philanthropic and nonprofit communities. The day concludes with an intimate talk by Inua Ellams poet, playwright, performer, and one of the most beloved literary voices working today. His reflections on creativity, identity, and the power of storytelling invite guests to consider how arts and culture can shape place, belonging, and longterm social change. For the full agenda, please see below: 3:30-4:30pm | Arrival in St Leonards, Foley session @ Benbow Arts Space, 2 London Road (drop in) 5:15-5:45pm | A gentle walk towards Hastings town centre through the XMTR festival installation, Pier Sings, beneath Hastings Pier 6:00pm | Arrival @ Project Art Works, 12 Claremont - networking, gallery browsing, and Hastings International Piano Competition 6:30pm | Amici, 3rd floor @ 12 Claremont with Welcome talks and drinks (everyone) 7:15pm | Supper @ the Bunka, Observer building, with spoken word performance from guest Inua Ellams, patron of Hastings Storytelling Festival Please book for whether or not you would like supper at the Bunka. If you don't opt in for supper, you are still welcome to attend the spoken word performance. This event is aimed to target as many organisations and philanthropists we have capacity for so tickets are limited to one per organisation, however partners are more than welcome. Please specify if you need a plus one for them when booking.