The Bright Foundation
Also known as: The Children's Art and Education Foundation
Arts education charity with two venues in Hastings: Barn Theatre and Museum: 48 seat children's theatre, toy museum, 24 acres of land; and Benbow Arts Space: youth filmmaking space & early cinema exhibition. Activities:- Schools and Groups - cultural education- Public events and theatre shows- Creative skills and employability programmes- Improving access for disadvantaged children
Activities & Mission
Arts education charity with two venues in Hastings: Barn Theatre and Museum: 48 seat children's theatre, toy museum, 24 acres of land; and Benbow Arts Space: youth filmmaking space & early cinema exhibition. Activities:- Schools and Groups - cultural education- Public events and theatre shows- Creative skills and employability programmes- Improving access for disadvantaged children
Areas of Operation
Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.
Local Authority
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 63% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M (sample: 962). How is this calculated?
Higher than 100% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 63% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?
Latest Financial Breakdown
Income Sources
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
One or more years show a significant change in income (over ±100%) compared with the prior year. This usually reflects a merger, transfer of activities, restated accounts, or a one-off legacy — not necessarily a real change in operating scale. See the methodology for context.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £567,877 | £539,744 | £539,744 | £1,353,460 | £15,000 | 7 / 5 |
| 2024 | £789,875 | £534,351 | £534,351 | £1,325,327 | £8,257 | 7 / 6 |
| 2023 | £469,143 | £429,247 | 0 / 6 | |||
| 2022 | £468,957 | £412,135 | 0 / 0 | |||
| 2021 | £19,638 | £129,645 | 0 / 0 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about The Bright Foundation
What does The Bright Foundation do?
Arts education charity with two venues in Hastings: Barn Theatre and Museum: 48 seat children's theatre, toy museum, 24 acres of land; and Benbow Arts Space: youth filmmaking space & early cinema exhibition. Activities:- Schools and Groups - cultural education- Public events and theatre shows- Creative skills and employability programmes- Improving access for disadvantaged children
How much income did The Bright Foundation report in 2025?
The Bright Foundation reported total income of £568k and reported expenditure of £540k for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is The Bright Foundation?
The Bright Foundation has a program ratio of 95.0%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 63% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M (sample of 962 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was The Bright Foundation registered as a charity?
The Bright Foundation was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 3 August 2018 as charity number 1179452. It has been registered for 8 years.
Who runs The Bright Foundation?
The Bright Foundation is governed by a board of 7 trustees. The chair of trustees is JOHN BRIGHT. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does The Bright Foundation operate?
The Bright Foundation operates in East Sussex, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.
Is The Bright Foundation a registered charity?
Yes — The Bright Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1179452.
Details
St Leonards-on-sea
East Sussex
TN37 6AE
Registry Information
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Trustees
Sectors & Classifications
Also Known As
- The Children's Art and Education Foundation
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 14 May 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated