Art show to continue at same site

THE established venue of a long-running creative group’s annual Easter Art Show is set to remain utilised following concerns the collective would no longer be able to use the space.

The Robert Clark Horticultural Centre at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens has long been the home of one of the Ballarat Society of Artists’ largest calendar events.

After about 15 years of reliable weekend use, group members had been informed they wouldn’t be able to use the space next year.

“Back in June, we received an email saying we wouldn’t be able to have our Easter Art Show at the centre because it occurs on a public holiday and over a weekend,” said Ballarat Society of Artists president John Canham.

“It was apparently due to operational reasons. We’re not sure as to why but it’s got to be due to staffing over the weekends and public holidays. When we were there on weekends, we really didn’t see any staff anyway.

“We’d always worked really well with the previous curator Peter Marquand and we had a reduced rate. We’ve had a long involvement with the place.”

Mr Canham said the Ballarat Society of Artists would generally load in on Thursdays for their art show and bump out the following Mondays.

After negotiating with municipality staff, group members were notified they could continue using the space for the full venue hire.

With the success of the Easter Art Show coinciding with the Botanical Gardens’ extensive foot traffic during Ballarat Begonia Festival, Mr Canham said the group are keen to keep using the space.

“The begonias are in there at the conservatory at the same time so the two things really gel,” he said. “We would get 1500, 2000 people through over that weekend. There’s no other venue at that time in town that can give you that response from the public.”

City of Ballarat director of infrastructure and environment Bridget Wetherall said the hire increase is down to budgetary reasons.

“The City of Ballarat reviews fees and charges annually as part of the budget process,” she said.

“City of Ballarat venue hire costs generally increase in line with the consumer price index (CPI) each year to reflect the increasing costs associated with operating and maintaining these facilities.

“There are currently eight tenant groups that occupy the Robert Clark Horticultural Centre. These groups have separate agreements and are generally not impacted by the annual price increase for general bookings.

“As City of Ballarat employees working within the Robert Clark Horticultural Centre do not work out of hours or on weekends, the City of Ballarat does not take bookings for the space for external activities outside of normal office hours, or for activities that do not relate to the City of Ballarat.

“It costs $400 to hire the Robert Clark Horticultural Centre for a full day, and $215 for a half day.”