Burnaby’s Deer Lake Gallery is closed until further notice due to “disappointing and unsustainable funding,” according to the non-profit that runs the facility.
The Burnaby Arts Council made the announcement in its newsletter Aug. 23.
“BAC and Deer Lake Gallery have experienced unprecedented, disappointing and unsustainable funding from sources that have historically upheld our operations each year,” wrote co-chairs Maria Anna Parolin and Wendy Cormack.
“This leaves us in an untenable financial position, which sadly requires us to close the Deer Lake Gallery until further notice.”
The arts council continued its summer programming to the end of August and still plans to run its beloved Winter Craft Festival in November this year.
The arts council and gallery run a variety of programs including a summer theatre program featuring emerging artists, gallery exhibitions, workshops and community events.
The newsletter said the gallery’s executive director resigned in June, and since then, the gallery and arts council have been operating via its volunteers, interns and board of directors.
“While the gallery is closed, the BAC Board Directors remain committed to rebuilding our financial plans, strategic plan, and programming goals, with the aim to reopen the gallery in 2025,” stated the newsletter.
Parolin told the Burnaby NOW funding has not dried up but has been reduced and is more difficult to secure.
“It is becoming more and more challenging to obtain stable operating funds to pay staff and run programming,” she said by email.
“Another huge factor is the lack of volunteerism. Without the work of volunteers, our organization and the programs it runs, cannot be sustained,” Parolin added.
The co-chairs noted the next annual general meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. at Deer Lake Gallery and will include discussion on “the state of the arts in Burnaby, the role of the BAC, and ways we might move forward as an arts community.”
The letter also included calls to:
- contribute to the Burnaby Arts Council financially
- join the board as a director
- purchase tote bags, art prints or artist publications through the gallery’s online shop
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