Bath & North East Somerset Council is considering proposals to halve its £300,000 subsidy to the Victoria Art Gallery over the next three years.
At a budget meeting last month, councillors were asked to consider “making some services self-financing, such as the Victoria Art Gallery, through charging customers and introducing a voluntary tourism levy to help support an increase in visitor numbers”.
Museums Journal understands that the proposals would entail a reduction in the council’s net subsidy to the gallery by £50,000 each year over the next three-year budget period.
A council spokesman said: “The council is considering a framework for charging and a range of options. Once this work is complete, we will present these to stakeholders, like the Friends of Victoria Art Gallery, for comment.”
Michael Rowe, chairman of the Friends of Victoria Art Gallery, said: “There is a discussion over charging for touring exhibitions while the permanent exhibitions would remain free, but no decision has been taken. We support the general principle that things should pay for their own upkeep.”
The final budget-setting meeting will take place on 19 February next year.
At a budget meeting last month, councillors were asked to consider “making some services self-financing, such as the Victoria Art Gallery, through charging customers and introducing a voluntary tourism levy to help support an increase in visitor numbers”.
Museums Journal understands that the proposals would entail a reduction in the council’s net subsidy to the gallery by £50,000 each year over the next three-year budget period.
A council spokesman said: “The council is considering a framework for charging and a range of options. Once this work is complete, we will present these to stakeholders, like the Friends of Victoria Art Gallery, for comment.”
Michael Rowe, chairman of the Friends of Victoria Art Gallery, said: “There is a discussion over charging for touring exhibitions while the permanent exhibitions would remain free, but no decision has been taken. We support the general principle that things should pay for their own upkeep.”
The final budget-setting meeting will take place on 19 February next year.
