Is this a sign of things to come? North London's artsdepot is under threat.
In an early casuality of the coalition's funding cuts, it looks like North Finchley's multi-purpose arts venue artsdepot is under threat. On 3rd December 2010 Barnet Council anounced they were cutting all core funding to the popular north London venue, the only professional arts venue in the borough.
According to a statement on artsdepot's website, “at an already difficult time, this leaves the future of artsdepot in an increasingly vulnerable position.” In the last financial year artsdepot received £194,000 from Barnet Borough Council, 11% of its overall income. Other revenue sources include private trusts and foundations, box office sales and hires. Artsdepot claim that it's the late notice of Barnet Council's announcement that “makes it incredibly difficult for the venue to plan for the consequences of the proposed cuts.”
The director of artsdepot, Nigel Cutting, said, “I am shocked and disappointed at this proposal as I have been in constant dialogue with Barnet Council for the last six months, and at no time had it been suggested to us that funding would be withdrawn in 2011. Whilst we recognise that in times of reduced public expenditure, arts provision will need to take a share of the cuts, this is hugely disproportionate and short-sighted, especially with artsdepot being only 6 years old, and being a council initiative. If it goes through, Barnet will be one of the largest councils in the country to spend nothing on the arts. A local authority area with twice the population of Oxford at least deserves a degree of arts provision. We are all aware that central government is reducing what it spends on the arts, but isn’t cutting it altogether. Neither should Barnet Council.”
A petition has been started encouraging people to "SAVE artsdepot. Don't let the curtain fall on your local arts venue!" However a spokesman for artsdepot tells us that "whilst the funding cuts are significant the venue would probably not close." We've been assured that events to which tickets have been bought will go ahead as planned.
To help 'save' artsdepot, sign this petition.
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