Gallery Funding Frozen

Friday, 6 March 2015 05:45

Woodstock City Council froze the Art Gallery budget for three years

WOODSTOCK - The Woodstock Art Gallery operating budget has been frozen for the next three years. WAG's original operating budget request was shaved by roughly 30 thousand dollars and council will still have the opportunity to reduce or increase it. Two motions were on the table; both aimed to reduce the operating budget request put forward by WAG. County/City Councillor Deb Tait's motion proposed freezing the Woodstock Art Gallery operating budget at $557,630 for three years in addition to the Woodstock Art Gallery board providing reports on how the gallery would reduce costs to the taxpayers. Tait's motion was passed 5 to 1 with Councillor Jerry Acchione the lone hold out.

Tait said it was important to provide stable funding revenue for the gallery, especially when it comes to attracting private donors.

Councillor Shawn Shapton had the other motion which proposed reducing the operating budget to $500,000 and dipping into reserve funds to finance the reduction.

Shapton's motion was defeated in a split vote 3 to 3.

Woodstock Art Gallery Director Curator Mary Reid was pleased with the decision.

"I'm delighted because what it does it provides us with a wonderful platform to move forward, by having stable funding we know what our targets are and we can be able to grow from that."

"It also signals a very strong show of support from the community and council so that I can diversify the revenue streams and investigate other ways to grow the gallery."

Woodstock County/City Councillor Deb Tait, Councillor Shawn Shapton and Woodstock Art Gallery curator Mary Reid say they all share the common goal of wanting the gallery to succeed while reducing the operating costs.

Many supporters of the gallery were on hand at the council meeting. One supporter - Merina Dobson said although she was happy with the motion she was unimpressed with the attitudes of some councillors.

"I have a lot of difficulty with the mentality of some of the councillors, they on one hand say they support the gallery and on the other hand do everything possible to see that the gallery does not work."