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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE EDUCATION, SPORT AND CULTURE COMMITTEE BY THE DEPUTY OF ST. JOHN
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 10th MAY 2005
Question
In July 2004, the Education, Sport and Culture Committee received a presentation on a possible new art gallery on the Waterfront to be funded by a benefactor.
Would the President inform members what progress, if any, has been made in moving this forward, and if so, would he advise –
- whether the building work has been estimated, together with the annualrunningcosts,andif so, how much and from wherethesefunds will besourced?
- of the proposed location andsizeof the site? Answer
- On 28th July 2004, the Education, Sport and Culture Committee met with representatives of the Waterfront Enterprise Board, the Jersey Arts Trust, and a company of architects to consider an oral and visual presentation on a proposed Art Gallery to besituatedon a developmentsiteon the Waterfront.
T h e Committee was informed that a benefactor had been identified who might be prepared to offer a sum of
approximately £9 million for the capital development of an Art Gallery in the Island. Whilst this sum represented one of the largest donations in British cultural history, the Committee was informed that the development costs would be in the region of £7.5 million leaving only £1.5 million for running costs. It was estimated, however, that running costs would be in the region of £600,000 per year.
T h e Committee commented that the issue of running costs threatened the development unless further funds
could be identified once the initial investment had run out.
- Following further discussion at the meeting, the Committee recognised the ArtGallery's potential to become an iconic exhibition centre andcultural facility and it agreed that it would champion the schemeasmuchas possible in light of its responsibility for culture but that the current economic climate would limit its ability to offer financial support. TheCommittee, therefore, agreed to awaitthepublicationof a detailed business plan before it could identify how assistance couldbeoffered.
S u bsequent to that meeting the Committee has been informed by the Jersey Arts Trust that the offer of
support from the benefactor did not materialise, and, in consequence the Committee has had no further involvement in this matter.