The £3.5 million fundraising campaign to save Project Cottage near Dungeness Power Station has been successful. Derek Jarman, a gay rights activist, and maker of several films including “Caravaggio” and “Jubilee”, bought the cottage in 1986, the year he was diagnosed with HIV, and lived there until his death in 1994. His long time friend Keith Collins looked after him and then the cottage after Derek’s death in 2018.
It was a friend of Keith, Tacita Dean, who enlisted the Art Fund to help raise the money. She said: “What could be a clearer indicator of our collective commitment to a rich future than having this phenomenal response.” The Art Fund started one of the biggest crowdfunding campaigns ever and got funds from trusts, foundations, and a personal donation from David Hockney as well as 7,300 donations from the public. This made it possible to save the cottage and beautiful garden for everyone rather than being taken over by an individual.
It can now continue to be an inspiration for devotees and visitors who come from across the world, and Jarman’s notebooks, archives, sketchbooks, letters, drawings and photographs will be looked after by Tate Britain while artists can use the cottage as a temporary home and inspiration.
Image Credits: Derek Brown .