Support Us

Gawthorpe Textiles Collection is the operating name of independent registered charity The Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth Textile Collections 1182054 (previously 516227).


Each year we need to raise a minimum of £100,000 to operate the charity through applying for grants, delivering workshops, study visits, retail activity and donations. Our long term ambition is to create a centre of excellence for textile education focused around this fabulous collection.


We are incredibly grateful for the support that we receive from members of the public to help us to care for and use the collection to deliver educational, craft, artistic, heritage and cultural experiences to a range of audiences in line with the vision of our founder Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth.


There are a number of ways that you can support us. Use the links below to find out more:


Why Support Us?

The Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth Textile Collections is a registered museum and independent charity. We do not receive funding from local government or the National Trust and generate all of our operating income from our activities, grants and donations. 

The charity was first established by Rachel in 1959 as a means of protecting and safeguarding the Collection for the benefit of future generations, ensuring its future as an educational and cultural resource. As a follower of the ethos of the Arts and Crafts Movement Rachel recognised the value of making towards the health and prosperity of the community around her.

Today this ethos is as significant as ever and we continue to deliver exhibitions, educational programmes and work with artists and makers. Your support will help us to continue to ensure that the Collection is displayed, cared for and used in line with our charitable purposes.  

Charitable object
To hold the RBKS Collections for the development of arts and crafts and for educational purposes.

Aims
•  To research, document, display and care for the Collection to approved museum standards.
•  To publicly share and communicate the story of textile heritage to the widest possible audience through use of the Rachel Kay-
      Shuttleworth Collection.
•  To promote education, skills sharing and support wellbeing through participation in craft.
•  To engage a broad range of people through programmes that inspire.
•  To work with educational institutions, artists and arts organisations to challenge perceptions of textile heritage and reinterpret the
     collection for a contemporary audience.
•  To realise Rachel’s vision of creating a craft based centre for education and training.