Cuts to Saskatchewan's arts and culture sector are reaching beyond the film industry. Heritage institutions - which include the local Western Development Museum - have reported they are also been adversely affected. As a result of a zero percent increase in its annual budget allocation from the provincial government, the Western Development Museum's (WDM) four exhibit locations at Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Saskatoon and Yorkton will be closed Mondays in an effort to maintain a balanced budget.
After discussion between the WDM Board of Directors and Joan Champ, the Museum's Executive Director, it was decided that, due to the lack of increase in the WDM's annual operating grant from the province, the Monday closures will be effective immediately. The Museum had requested an increase in its budget allocation from the province to keep pace with inflationary costs.
"The WDM sincerely regrets the inconvenience this cut in our hours of operation will cause for its visitors, volunteers and staff," Champ says. "However, the WDM is entering the new fiscal year on April 1st with a projected operating deficit of over $400,000 - if we maintain programs and services at their current levels. We attribute this situation primarily to the fact that, for the past several years, provincial budget allocations to the Museum have not matched the realities of inflation. If the WDM is going to continue its long-standing practice of balanced budgets, something must go."
Deliberations will continue during the weeks and months to come to ensure that the WDM maintains a balanced budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year.
"We ask our supporters to write a letter to Premier Wall as well as your MLAs stating why you think the WDM is important, and asking that the provincial government reconsider its budget decision in order to provide the Museum with more sustainable funding."
Premier Brad Wall: Room 226, Legislative Building, 2405 Legislative Drive, Regina SK S4S 0B3 Phone: (306) 787-9433 Email: [email protected]
Honourable Bill Hutchinson Room 345, Legislative Building, 2405 Legislative Drive, Regina SK S4S 0B3 Phone: (306) 787-0354 Email: [email protected]
