Prospect Cottage and garden, the former home and garden of filmmaker Derek Jarman, is the subject of a new campaign to secure its future.
Art Fund, Creative Folkstone and Tate are fundraising to purchase the cottage, its contents and gardens in order to protect the cottage and bring it into public ownership.
The cottage and its contents and archive are being sold following the death last year of Jarman's companion Keith Collins. £3.5 million needs to be raised by spring 2020.
Purchasing the cottage will ensure Jarman's legacy continues to influence and inspire and plans include Creative Folkestone becoming custodians of Prospect Cottage. A residency programme will be run which will protect and conserve the garden and cottage while also fuelling the creation of new artwork. The programme will be open to artists, academics, writers, gardeners, filmmakers, activists and more.
Members of the public will also be able to apply to visit the cottage throughout the year.
Prospect Cottage was discovered by Jarman by chance while visiting Dungeness with his friend Tilda Swinton in 1986. The garden's significance can be seen in Jarman's work including in his 1990 film The Garden. It became a place of refuge and a creative hub. For nearly 25 years Collins has kept the cottage in its authentic state.
The Art Fund has launched the campaign and needs to meet the fundraising target by the end of March 2020.
Don't miss February's issue of Gardens Illustrated which features a piece from photographer Howard Sooley on Jarman, his garden and his legacy.
