The Friends of Pallant House Gallery was founded 1979 by a group of people who wished to see Pallant House become a gallery in order to house and maintain the art collection which Dean Hussey had bequeathed to the City of Chichester two years previously.

With the help of these Friends, and some generous benefactors, Pallant House was opened as an art gallery in 1982. By 2003, just over 20 years later, there were 1,700 Friends of Pallant House and by the end of 2007 the Friends numbered 3,500.

The Friends of Pallant House Gallery continues to exist to promote enjoyment and education in fine arts by giving financial support to maintain Pallant House Gallery through Friends membership fees and Friends fundraising events. This support is administered from The Friends Office which is open four days a week Tuesday through to Friday.

The Friends Office, situated on the ground floor of the new wing, is managed by one part time member of staff assisted by a team of volunteers involved in membership administration using a computerised system and planning and presentation of the programme of Friends Events. This programme consists of trips, visits, concerts, book club meetings and talks to coincide with each major Pallant House Gallery exhibition.