Charging for entry is one of the new policies that the Watts Gallery will adopt when its £9m redevelopment is completed in 2010.
The gallery, which opened in 1904 to display the work of Victorian artist GF Watts, wants to ensure it will operate on a firm financial footing when it reopens.
It is still seeking money to reach its target of £10m, which will fund the restoration of the building and provide an endowment to care for the collection. The Heritage Lottery Fund has earmarked £4.3m for the projectThe museum hopes to start work on the redevelopment next autumn.
"We need to raise a further £2m by spring to unlock the funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund," said Watts Gallery director Perdita Hunt. "This is both matching funding for the capital project and an increase in our endowment fund. We are currently operating on deficit budgets."
The gallery has considered raising funds by selling two paintings from its non-core collection by Albert Moore and Edward Burne-Jones.
Before making a decision, it is awaiting for the decision of the Museums Association's annual general meeting (which took place after Museums Journal want to press) on whether to allow financially motivated disposals in "exceptional circumstances".
Richard Ormond, chairman of the Watts Gallery Trust, has been keen to emphasise that the proceeds from any sale would be used for "the safekeeping and active management of the core collection".
The Watts Gallery is also looking to increase income after reopening by attracting more friends, who will qualify for free entry. The aim is to boost the number from 300 now to 2010 by 2010.
The next issue of Museums Journal will contain a profile of Perdita Hunt and a feature on the art for all movement.
Simon Stephens
The gallery, which opened in 1904 to display the work of Victorian artist GF Watts, wants to ensure it will operate on a firm financial footing when it reopens.
It is still seeking money to reach its target of £10m, which will fund the restoration of the building and provide an endowment to care for the collection. The Heritage Lottery Fund has earmarked £4.3m for the projectThe museum hopes to start work on the redevelopment next autumn.
"We need to raise a further £2m by spring to unlock the funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund," said Watts Gallery director Perdita Hunt. "This is both matching funding for the capital project and an increase in our endowment fund. We are currently operating on deficit budgets."
The gallery has considered raising funds by selling two paintings from its non-core collection by Albert Moore and Edward Burne-Jones.
Before making a decision, it is awaiting for the decision of the Museums Association's annual general meeting (which took place after Museums Journal want to press) on whether to allow financially motivated disposals in "exceptional circumstances".
Richard Ormond, chairman of the Watts Gallery Trust, has been keen to emphasise that the proceeds from any sale would be used for "the safekeeping and active management of the core collection".
The Watts Gallery is also looking to increase income after reopening by attracting more friends, who will qualify for free entry. The aim is to boost the number from 300 now to 2010 by 2010.
The next issue of Museums Journal will contain a profile of Perdita Hunt and a feature on the art for all movement.
Simon Stephens
