ONE of the New Forest’s leading arts venues is to close after losing an annual grant worth more than £100,000.
The ArtSway gallery in the New Forest has lost its battle for survival, which began last April after Arts Council England severed the gallery’s financial lifeline. Staff have confirmed the complex will shut on July 31 with the loss of three jobs.
Its closure will also come as a blow to about 25 artists in the area who were employed by ArtSway on a casual basis.
The gallery in Station Road, Sway, opened in 1997 and has often been used to showcase the talent of young and emerging contemporary artists.
Last year it received planning permission to build a new educational facility costing £150,000.
But just days later ACE announced that ArtSway would lose its grant from April this year following another round of public spending cuts.
Director Mark Segal and marketing officer Jack Lewis lost their jobs last November as the gallery battled to cut costs.
Now the three remaining staff are also facing redundancy.
An Arts Council spokeswoman said the organisation had been forced to make difficult decisions.
She added: “ArtSway’s application made a good contribution towards the Arts Council goals of achieving great art for everyone, but other ap
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel