The Kawartha Art Gallery (KAG) has received an additional $150,000 financial boost for 2024 from the City of Kawartha Lakes — one which will allow the gallery to move into its own space in downtown Lindsay later this year.
Currently located on the second floor of the Lindsay branch of the Kawartha Lakes Public Library at 190 Kent Street West, the gallery intends to rent the building at 19 Cambridge Street South, across from the Cambridge Mall. Owned by Linborough Property Corp, the building with its 3,000-square-foot main floor space was constructed in the late 19th century, when it was as a livery stable.
“With the gallery remaining in its current space, it impedes not only our growth, but the growth of the library,” reads a business case that Kawartha Art Gallery executive director Susan Taylor presented to city council on April 9. “To shift to a location with more foot traffic, space, and control will fundamentally change the operations of KAG.”
At that meeting, Taylor asked council for an additional $500,000 over the next three years, on top of the city’s existing funding of $150,000 over three years that began in 2023.
“This three-year investment allows KAG to build its staff and move into a new space, achieving a level of stability and increased/diverse revenue sources,” the business case reads, adding that the funding will allow the gallery to also hire additional staff, develop a strategic plan, and meet the growing demand for gallery programming.
With additional financial support from the city, the gallery would move into its new location in September. The City of Kawartha Lakes is currently conducting a feasibility study for a new cultural centre, and the gallery will have the option to relocate into the centre when it is completed.
“We have been given the flexibility of either moving into the centre or consider a hub and spoke model where we will have a satellite presence in the centre, in addition to our core new space,” reads the business case.
At its April 30th meeting, council approved a staff recommendation to transfer $150,000 to the Kawartha Art Gallery in 2024 from the city’s 2023 surplus of $3.2 million, and to accommodate the gallery’s additional funding request of $150,000 in 2025 and $200,000 in 2026 in future budgets, with annual reporting to council by the gallery.
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of the City of Kawartha Lakes,” said Taylor in a media release on Tuesday (May 28). “This funding will allow us to give back even more to our community, through exceptional exhibitions, expanded educational programs, and investment in community outreach initiatives. And perhaps most significantly, it will allow us to realize a space of our own in downtown Lindsay.”
“Council is proud to support the arts, culture and heritage sector in Kawartha Lakes,” Mayor Doug Elmslie said. “We believe that keeping creativity and our traditions alive is very important. Supporting the KAG at this time is crucial as they work to make art more accessible for everyone. We’re excited about the opportunities this investment will bring to our community.”
PDF: Kawartha Art Gallery Business Case
Kawartha Art Gallery Business Case
