The city’s budget process continued last night as council met to hear from a number of city funded outside agencies and levy boards.
Council heard from the director of the Art Gallery of Algoma Jasmina Jovanovic and Gallery Board of Directors’ President Mark Lepore.
Council was told that the gallery needed to access outside funding to carry out much needed work on its building which involved roofing work and the replacement of the H-VAC system and there are other building issues that need to be addressed.
The local Gallery was also able to largely reduce its deficit due to an increase in city funding last year and a reduction in staff levels—-there has not been an increase in compensation for staff employees in the past several years.
Council was also told that going forward they would like to continue offering current programing and exhibitions but it is not feasible under the current budget.
The Gallery is asking for a 70-thousand dollar increase.
The Art Gallery of Algoma is also looking to bring two exhibitions to the Sault next year—an exhibition of Ken Danby’s work and an exhibition recognizing the 100th anniversary of the Group of 7 artists arrival to the area and discovery of Algoma and Sault Ste. Marie.