Backlit

Matthew Chesney founded Backlit in 2008, immediately after completing a fine art degree at Nottingham Trent University, turning a former industrial building on Ashley Street into an artist-led gallery and studio complex. Suzanne Golden joined as co-director, handling fundraising and the volunteer programme while Chesney sets the exhibition programme. The building spans three floors, housing public galleries alongside affordable studio space for more than 120 artists, collectives and associate members. Exhibitions favour early-career and emerging artists over established names, with a public programme that includes commissions, screenings and talks. Backlit describes itself as LGBTQ+ and female-led, and operates as an independent charity rather than a council or university department. The space sits in St Ann's, a short walk from Nottingham's Victoria Centre.