About us

KARST is an ambitious contemporary art space comprising a free public gallery and artists’ studios. We create space for taking risks, where artists and curators can experiment, provoke, disrupt and innovate: a test-bed for experimentation across art forms, KARST attracts diverse audiences through cutting edge exhibitions, screenings, music events, and performances.

Founded in 2012 as a result of British Art Show 7, KARST has experienced exponential growth and was one of the British Art Show 9 host venues in 2022. We’re based in an iconic industrial building, but we think beyond our walls and invite projects from anywhere where art, ideas, and life meet. Our space affords time to think and ask questions. It’s an experimental workshop, a safe place to take risks, a place for ambitions beyond defined outcomes. It’s also an incubator for new talent.

We believe art has a transformative power, and we play our part in shaping the cultural identity of our city. We will ensure we all hear the voices of underrepresented members of our society. Our passion is to help grow the individual and sector through inclusivity, inspiration, creativity, and experimentation. Our ambition is to be sustainable, to achieve rigorous quality, and to be the best we possibly can in all we do.

KARST is an independent arts organisation with charitable status and is supported by Arts Council England and Plymouth City Council. Registered Charity no. 1157242, registered in England and Wales no. 08653315.

Inclusivity

KARST will take an active lead to address structural and hidden racism and the inequalities underpinning society wherever we find them.

Read more about KARST’s inclusivity policy.

Opening times

Gallery open: Wed-Sat 11 am–5 pm (During exhibition times only or by appointment)
Closed: Sun–Tues
Admission is free

Office open: Tues–Fri 10 am–5 pm (by appointment)

Contact

KARST, 22 George Place, Millbay, Plymouth, PL1 3NY

+44(0)1752 222676

ku.gro.tsrak@ofni

Volunteering

As part of our commitment to widening participation in the arts, we have the support of a dedicated and enthusiastic bank of volunteers. For more information on volunteering please contact us.

People

Staff:
Executive Director: Donna Howard
Head of Programme: Ben Borthwick
Operations Manager: Georgia Buck
Marketing & Communications Manager: Tilly Craig
Marketing & Communications Officer: Rachel Sved
Administrator: Patrycja Loranc
Technical Coordinator: Paul Ager

Trustees:
Nick Buckland (Chair), Mark Cotton, Azza Gasim, Wes Gilpin, Christy Johnson, Alan Qualtrough, Merrydith Russell.

Getting Here

KARST is in the heart of Millbay, a short walk from Plymouth city centre and within easy walking distance from public parking and public transport links.

By car
If you are travelling via car, there is free street parking for up to three hours outside KARST.
Martin Street, Brunel Way and Pavilions car parks are all a five-minute walk from the gallery. We have limited onsite parking at KARST for Blue Badge holders only.
More parking is available around the city centre, for information visit the Plymouth City Council website at plymouth.gov.uk/parking, or plymouth.gov.uk/parkandride.

By public transport
KARST is within walking distance from Plymouth Train Station where direct services depart from London Paddington (taking 3-3.5 hours), Bristol, the Midlands, the North of England, Scotland and Cornwall.

The majority of local buses stop at Royal Parade, a 15-minute walk from KARST.
Plymouth Coach Station is located on Mayflower Street, a 20 minute walk away. National Express services run to London Victoria via Exeter and plenty of other UK destinations.

Accessibility

Gallery
KARST gallery and facilities are wheelchair and buggy accessible. Visitors with guide and assistance dogs are welcome in the gallery.

Digital
We are committed to achieving AA standard under WCAG 2.1 guidelines and our website is built to the highest WCAG standards we can achieve.

Please contact the gallery if you have any accessibility or additional requirements.