The gallery at the British Film Institute (BFI) on London’s Southbank will close next month because of a 15% cut in real terms to the body’s grant-in-aid over the next four years.
Government funding will be reduced from £15m in 2011-12 to £14.6m in 2014-15. A restructuring of the organisation will involve the BFI library relocating from central London to the space currently occupied by the gallery. The shake-up will lead to the loss of 29 jobs.
“This does not mean that we are splitting up the BFI collection,” said a spokesman. He added that exhibitions relating to the moving image could still be seen in the mezzanine area and atrium space at BFI Southbank.
“The move is not necessarily about saving money,” he said. “The funding cut is driving this development, but we have to focus on things only the BFI can do.”
The gallery, which is currently hosting an exhibition of works by artist Phil Collins, closes on 10 April.
Government funding will be reduced from £15m in 2011-12 to £14.6m in 2014-15. A restructuring of the organisation will involve the BFI library relocating from central London to the space currently occupied by the gallery. The shake-up will lead to the loss of 29 jobs.
“This does not mean that we are splitting up the BFI collection,” said a spokesman. He added that exhibitions relating to the moving image could still be seen in the mezzanine area and atrium space at BFI Southbank.
“The move is not necessarily about saving money,” he said. “The funding cut is driving this development, but we have to focus on things only the BFI can do.”
The gallery, which is currently hosting an exhibition of works by artist Phil Collins, closes on 10 April.