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Jasper Artists Guild is running out of money and could be broke by the end of next year.
Member Claude Boocock went to council week to explain the Guild鈥檚 financial troubles.
She explained that Jasper Artists Guild (JAG) moved into the Cultural Centre in 2016 with $71,000 in cash assets but said their expenditure is much greater than before and they are down to $20,000.
鈥淎t this rate we expect JAG to have exhausted its funds, earned and saved in the 16 years before moving into the new facility, by December 31, 2020,鈥� she said.
Boocock said JAG鈥檚 biggest expense is its $1,700 per month rent, plus utilities.
And the gallery is not selling enough art to meet its expenses.
鈥淲e find this new location compared to the old Fire Hall is very difficult to entice visitors to us,鈥� said Boocock.
鈥淲e still get visitors but it seems to be that block and a half is a big issue.
鈥淲e have put up signs but it鈥檚 difficult to entice people.鈥�
The artist said the gallery had 300 to 350 visitors a day at its old location and now draws in 60 to 65.
Unlike Habitat for the Arts, JAG can鈥檛 apply for many grants because it is a retail facility.
Its two main grants are the Alberta Foundation for the Arts government grant and a summer student grant.
Boocock said the Arts grant has been about $4,000 but is set to be cut by 50 per cent by the new Alberta government.
And the summer student grant pays for about half the wages for that seasonal employee.
Boocock offered three solutions that could help the gallery out of financial despair.
The first was a cash injection from council of $15,000 per year, the second was to pay rent once a year from profits made by the gallery, and the third was to pass administration to council and have the space become a public art gallery.
鈥淲e would be more than happy to continue what we do now,鈥� said Boocock.
鈥淭his facility is amazing - it is world class and we are so proud to be here.
鈥淲e are so thankful but the reality is this.鈥�
Councillor Paul Butler said: 鈥淚t seems the business model of this building is not really working.
鈥淥ne tenant is paying rent and it鈥檚 not working and the other is not paying rent and looking for money.
鈥淲e are going to have to come up with some answers.鈥�
