STAFF at Fabrica Gallery are the picture of happiness after meeting a fundraising target to stop the venue from closing.

More than 400 people supported the “keep Fabrica” campaign by donating to the gallery’s crowd-funding page, raising £21,000 in total.

The public appeal was launched in response to Fabrica losing a regular £20,000 grant from Brighton And Hove City Council.

The donations mean that not only will Fabrica not be forced to close its doors, it will not face cuts to its programme or community schemes.

Liz Whitehead, director of the gallery in Brighton’s Lanes, said she had been amazed by the number of people who contributed.

“We have been completely bowled over by the response to the campaign,” she said.

“It’s been truly brilliant to see how much support we have in the city and beyond. Instead of thinking about which areas of the programme we might have to cut, we are now giving thought to what impact we can make with the additional money raised.”

Fabrica’s situation seems to have shifted from precarious to positive.

Liz said the campaign, which spread on social media and by word of mouth, has boosted the reputation of the gallery.

“We feel our campaign has raised Fabrica’s profile in the city and that people who may not have visited before will come to the gallery,” she said.

Donators to the crowd-funding page were rewarded with a range of incentives, including original artwork by artists who have exhibited at Fabrica during its 22-year history.

Another prize was a guided tour of Brighton Festival 2018 guest director David Shrigley’s upcoming installation Life Model II – a life-drawing class that substitutes a human model for a lifelike sculpture.

High-profile backers of the campaign included artist Martin Parr and MP Caroline Lucas.

A “draw-a-thon” was held last month as part of Fabrica’s drive to survive.

Jane Fordham, the artist who organised the event with poet Jackie Wills, said it was a “fantastic way to mobilise Brighton’s artistic community in raising funds for Fabrica, which has supported local artists for many years.”