Lack of public art policy jeopardizes Vernon gallery funding

Gallery funding at risk

Photo: VPAG

Despite being cancelled months ago, the controversial 'Behind the Mask' mural project is still having ramifications for Vernon Public Art Gallery.

Future funding may be in jeopardy at the gallery, says executive director Dauna Kennedy.

VPAG is relying on funding from the Canada Council for the Arts to help with expenses once it moves into the new Greater Vernon Cultural Centre, which will take shape on the downtown parking lot beside the Elks Hall.

But that money might not come.

"It's something we've been strategically working on getting," explains Kennedy.

City council pulled its endorsement of the mural project in September, but Kennedy says without it, the gallery not meet funding parameters for the future.

A sliver of hope remains in that the city is developing a public art policy, which it did not have when the decision was made.

"We want to be able to apply for operational funding, and in order to do that we have to have two successfully funded art projects," says Kennedy.

Behind the Mask was that second project.

"If this project isn't fulfilled, it certainly does jeopardize our opportunity to get that additional operational funding for our new facility."

The project, which is aimed at provoking discussion about mental health, created such controversy council backtracked on approval and the $33,000 it had promised. Canada Council for the Arts had also approved $55,000 for the project, which remains in limbo.

Kennedy says the lack of policy on public art is one of the reasons the the project is stalled.

"Administration has been planning to develop a new policy, but due to competing priorities, has not yet accomplished this task," the City of Vernon said in an email.

The lack of priority is worrisome for Kennedy.

"Our politicians need to be aware it's a bigger picture, it's not just about murals right now," she says.

"As much as we are looking at this one project, it has implications much beyond that in terms of us as an organization, in terms of us an amenity for the community once we're in our new facility."