The City's 2011 operations budget and five-year capital plan will not see much in the way of changes at either Allen Sapp Gallery or the Chapel Gallery.
Both will continue to operate in their separate buildings with a combined five-year capital plan amounting to $257,500.
However, comments from a councillor about considering combining the facilities under one roof were enough to spark concern in the arts community about the future of the two galleries.
During the first night of deliberations Tuesday, Councillor Trent Houk said he wanted to look for efficiencies in the budget and had suggested operating the two galleries under one roof. He also said he wanted to look at further overlaps between the theatre and the Don Ross Centre.
Concerns council would consider such a move prompted several emails to be sent to city administration from the arts community, voicing support for the galleries in their present configuration and expressing fears of potential cuts.
A big turnout from staff and supporters of the two facilities was noted in the council chambers gallery during the second night of council deliberations, as a show of support for the two operations.
Parks and Recreation Director Keith Anderson pointed out that both galleries were separate entities with entirely separate mandates. The Allen Sapp Gallery is distinct from the Chapel Gallery because it was actually a museum, Anderson noted, that acts as an interpretive centre for the life and art of Sapp.
Anderson also said the Sapp Gallery is a major and award-winning tourist attraction for the city.
It was quickly evident other councillors weren't going along with Houk's suggestion to look at putting both galleries under one roof.
Councillor Grace Lang noted it was evident there was support for the galleries from the community. That community support was also noted by Councillor Ron Crush, who said the galleries "brands us and markets us to the outside world."
