YORKTON - The Godfrey Dean Gallery is doing well, but would like more funding from the city.
That was the message Yorkton Council heard at its regular meeting Monday in a presentation by Kelly Litzenberger, GDAG Managing Director and Jeff Morton, GDAG Curator.
On one hand gallery visitations rose from 1058 in 2020 to 2409 in 2022, with exhibitions doubling from six to 12, with local artists featured growing from 63 to 164, detailed the report circulated to Council.
But in terms of finances it has diminished, said Litzenberger.
In 2022, payroll expenses were roughly equal to available operational funding (before any other programming expenses).
As a result in 2023, Restructuring exercise addressed this, saving close to $10,000/year through payroll staff reduction.
“We are operating at budget capacity, and have maintained operations by reducing staff pay,” offered Litzenberger.
In part the squeeze has come with less dollars from SK Arts, but that is a reflection of municipal funding level, said Morton. Provincial funding allocations are determined with consideration of municipal support level.
In terms of municipal dollars to the GDAG it is lower than other similar galleries in Saskatchewan.
There has been no increase to GDAG municipal funding since 2002 (not including facility rental), said Litzenberger. Increased municipal support will enable continued operation and protect against further reduction of provincial funding.
Adjusted for inflation, GDAG’s municipal funding level would be over $63,000/year in 2024, compared to the current $40,000 annually, he continued.
As a result there was a request Council consider an increase to the Fee for Service Agreement with the City of Yorkton, at two per cent per year, retroactive to 2003.
An increase at this level would provide stable operation, staff retention, continued and increasing engagement and community support, and stronger services for local professional artists and the public in Yorkton and area, said Litzenberger.
Council referred the request to upcoming 2024 budget deliberations.
