Proposals for Victoria Art Gallery charging explained

Have a look below at proposals for charges for certain exhibitions at the Victoria Art Gallery. These ideas are being developed as part of the financial plans to balance the Council’s budget over the next three years. This forthcoming Budget is a tough one, and as with other Councils we are facing difficult decisions. You can have your say, see below.  

The proposal being worked up for the Gallery is that the new arrangements would be: 

• To charge for the large downstairs temporary exhibition gallery which drives footfall through new high quality shows that change every 6 to 8 weeks; charges may vary according to the exhibition on show and, because of the Gallery’s popularity amongst repeat visitors, a Season Ticket option is being actively considered; 
• No charge for the small exhibition gallery, which will continue to exhibit free selling shows by local artists and which will contain the Gallery shop; 
• No charge for the upstairs galleries that exhibit the permanent collection. 

These proposals are still work in progress. The Council made clear at the start of the budget process that its budget proposals in the four Medium Term Financial and Service Plans being considered by our Policy Development and Scrutiny Panels were not final and could be changed.  

Local people and organisations are being listened to via the recent Budget Fairs we held and our on-going consultation in the run-up to the budget setting meeting in February 2013.

Have your view 

The Council values the views of local people when making decisions about our budget and the impact it has. In order to ensure that we get it right, we would like your help in answering the following questions: 

• What should we do less of?  
• What are your ideas for improving services at lower cost  
• What services/communities should we make a priority? 

You can answer these questions at www.bathnes.gov.uk/budgetview or write to us at Resources Team, 3^rd Floor, Guildhall, Bath, BA1 5AW