28/10/2011
Ormeau Baths Gallery has notified the Arts Council of its decision to close, with immediate effect.
While it is deeply regrettable that any arts venue should find itself in these circumstances, given the gallery’s significant financial difficulties, the Arts Council fully supports OBG in its decision to wind-down.
Visual Arts remain a strategic priority for the Arts Council and over the coming months the board of the Arts Council will consider how best to redeploy the financial support previously committed to OBG in consultation with the visual arts community.
Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: “The Arts Council has supported OBG since it first opened its doors in 1994. Over that time the gallery has hosted some superb national and international exhibitions, as well a programme of education and outreach projects. However, it has become clear from OBG’s board, that the current running and programme costs for the gallery are not sustainable and the OBG board has been left no option but to enter voluntary liquidation.
“Maintaining studio and gallery provision in Belfast remains a priority for the Arts Council and we are now actively exploring potential development opportunities for the visual art sector in the year ahead.”
To view the public statement issued today by Ormeau Baths Gallery click here http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/news/2011/new28102011a.html
