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Preston's PAD Gallery to close
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'Preston Art and Design Gallery'. Copyright: PAD
Council bosses announce closure of gallery due to running costs.
Preston's Art and Design Gallery (PAD) is set to close, council bosses have announced.
From the end of October the Birley Street space will close to the general public before being fully wound down in December. At a cost of £85,000 a year the Council claims it is no longer financially viable to keep PAD open.
Councillor Anthony Gornall, Cabinet Member for Environment and Regeneration explained: "Everyone knows that public funds are under such huge pressure at the moment and we have to look at all areas of council spending. At £85,000 a year it is just not economic to keep PAD running. It would be like adding 1% on council tax alone just to keep PAD open.
He added: "We would like to thank everyone who has been involved with PAD over the last few years and it has certainly helped to support and promote the creative talent in the city. We are looking to identify other outlets for the artists displaying at PAD and with Preston Guild 2012 and the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, we will continue to explore ways of expressing Preston's creative potential in the future."
PAD first opened in 2006 in Church Street, Preston and was established through external Government funding. In 2008, it relocated to its current address, a former Post Office Building, and has been funded by Preston City Council. Three people are currently employed at PAD, including artist Rose Hamilton, whose jewellery can be purchased in the gallery shop. Gornall confirmed they will be considered for redeployment within the council.
The announcement is dire news for Preston's local artists, who have been offered support and promotion through the gallery's diverse programme of events and exhibitions. Over 120 artists are within PAD's collections, but it is the affect on early-career, less-established names that will prove more problematic.
Only time will tell what alternative support structures, if any, Preston Council will devise to offset the impact of PAD's closure.
For more information on PAD visit their website here »
Contact Councillor Anthony Gornall and show your support for PAD here »
Jack Hutchinson
First published: a-n.co.uk August 2010
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