In the 12 months after the bright modern extension was opened more than 53,000 people from all age groups visited, compared with 25,000 in the year before improvements were begun.

Set in the heart of the historic Sussex town the prizewinning unashamedly modern extension sits comfortably alongside the original Queen Anne mansion that housed the original gallery. Its collections mirror this combination of the old and the new and includes the works of modern British artists such as John Piper and Ben Nicholson while the mansion contains one of the world's outstanding collections of 18th-century Bow porcelain.

The Gallery is regularly acclaimed for its innovative exhibitions and pioneering learning and community programmes. In 2012 the Gallery was also successful in its bid for a £1 million Catalyst match-funding grant from the HLF to support the growth of an endowment fund.

After the gallery was awarded the Gulbenkian architectural prize in 2007 chair of the prize committee for museums and galleries Francine Stock commented:

“The brilliance of Pallant House Gallery lies not only in its thoughtful and intelligent curation but in the warmth and welcome of the building. There's nothing elitist about the way this fine collection is displayed - intimate yet with space for reflection and tranquillity.