Public meeting discusses funding lifeline

An ability to fully engage with the Arts Council is vital for the successful future of the Sayle Gallery.

That's the belief of its chairman following a public meeting last night.

It had been held to consider the future of the gallery after the Arts Council announced it was to cut its funding by nearly 70 per cent from next April.

But yesterday afternoon  six month's funding was given to the gallery after a meeting with Education Minister Tim Crookall.

Fifty percent of the funding for an Artist in Residence for next year has also been agreed.

Sayle Chairman Damian Ciappelli has called it a "welcome stay of execution", but says if the gallery is going to go forward there needs to be better understanding between the parties: