The Northern England-based charity New Light Art has announced the forced sale of its prestigious permanent collection due to a critical lack of funding. Comprising over 80 works by prominent Northern artists such as Norman Ackroyd and Anne Desmet, the collection will be auctioned at Anderson & Garland in Newcastle on April 2, 2025. The decision follows the departure of a long-term patron and rising logistical costs, with proceeds intended to keep the charity’s exhibition and education programs operational.
This sale highlights the precarious financial state of small regional arts organizations in the UK's current economic climate. By liquidating a collection specifically built to challenge the London-centric art market, New Light Art is attempting to avoid total closure while continuing its mission to support regional talent. The auction represents a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire a curated survey of contemporary Northern art while providing a lifeline to an institution dedicated to cultural decentralization.