MUSEUMS and an arts centre are determined to continue providing services despite losing significant funding from Barnet Council.
Barnet Museum in Wood Street, Church Farmhouse Museum in Hendon and Artsdepot in Nether Street, North Finchley will not receive annual funding from the council after April 1.
In light of the decision Councillor Robert Rams, cabinet member for customer access and partnerships, said the council is allowing voluntary organisations who are interested in running the museums to put forward “robust business plans”.
The council has arranged for the Museum, Libraries and Archives Council to help in the development of the plans which must be handed over within three months.
Barnet & District Local History Society run Barnet Museum voluntarily and will be submitting a business plan to the council.
Despite losing £23,000 in funding the volunteers are determined to continue their work.
Dr Gillian Gear is archivist and secretary at the museum as well as a vice president of the society.
She said: “We were extremely disappointed with the decision but now we’re concerned about the future, raising sufficient money to run the building and keeping the museum open.”
Consequently, plans are underway to improve its services such as extending opening hours on Saturdays instead of closing after 12.30pm and opening on Sundays.
The society is also looking at ways to increase funds, including regular quiz nights as well as history workshops.
Dr Gear said the museum, which contains artefacts reflecting the history and development of Chipping Barnet and the surrounding area, “needs to stay open for the local community”.
She added: “The council seems to believe that value only means money but there are other things valuable in this life and Barnet Museum is one of them.”
Director of artsdepot Nigel Cutting said the council’s decision to cut its £194,000 annual funding is “bitterly disappointing”.
However he said: “We are exploring ways to ensure we remain a vibrant, valued and successful venue, as well as maintaining our important role in the local community.
“Artsdepot is very much alive today and will remain so into the future.”
The centre’s blow has been softened by support from Arts Council England which will continue to fund the centre £300,000 a year until 2012.
Artsdepot is appealing to residents to continue supporting the venue by visiting its café, shows and soft play area, and taking part in its courses including drama, dance, writing, art and music.
Mr Cutting added: “Our message is a simple one – support artsdepot, and we will remain a vital part of North London life.”
In contrast, Church Farmhouse Museum is set to close at the end of the month due to having its £126,000 annual funding withdrawn.
David Bicknell, chair of the Friends of Church Farmhouse Museum said: “It will be sorely missed by the thousands of people who visited it every year.”
Nevertheless, Hendon & District Archaeological Society (HADAS) has said it “will continue the fight” to save the museum and is preparing to hand a business plan to the council by the end of May.
Cllr Rams said: “During these extremely testing economic times we have to look closely at how every penny of taxpayers’ money is spent.
“The council has to make some tough choices but we have to bear in mind that Barnet is part of one of the world’s great cultural capitals, with an array of arts provision available within easy reach.”
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 here