Babylon Arts is heartened by the overwhelming support from local residents following our recent public meeting. Many have written letters to Local Authorities, including Ely City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) and the Mayor of the Combined Authority, advocating for the future of our gallery and its vital role in the community.
We are currently in active discussions with these authorities and are hopeful that negotiations will lead to a positive outcome, enabling the reopening of the gallery.
To achieve this, we are seeking an investment of £50,000 per year from Local Authorities to cover core running costs. This funding would allow us to maintain operations while implementing a fresh programme of activities and services designed for the benefit of local residents. A three-year funding commitment would help secure the long-term future of our charity, ensuring that we continue to serve our community effectively.
A unified commitment from Local Authorities would highlight the urgency of our situation and enable us to secure additional match funding from other sources.
We are finalising a comprehensive business plan that outlines our vision for combining a community focus with sustainable commercial practices. This plan includes piloting new ideas, expanding events, and providing increased support for local artists. Once completed, the business plan will be made publicly available on our website for all to review.
In addition to these efforts, Babylon Arts is in discussions with potential partners interested in managing Babylon Cinema as a community-run independent cinema. Our priority is ensuring the cinema continues to serve Ely’s residents. However, further negotiations with key stakeholders, including the City of Ely, which owns The Maltings, are required to determine the viability of this plan.
In the meantime, we invite everyone to visit our final exhibition, the Winter Open, running throughout December. Featuring approximately 300 works by local artists, the exhibition showcases an eclectic mix of styles, offering something for every taste. Many pieces are affordably priced, making this an excellent opportunity to support the local arts community.
Linda McCord, Chair of Trustees, commented:
"We are committed to listening to and involving the people of Ely and beyond. We will keep everyone updated as developments unfold."
For further updates, keep an eye on our website or follow us on social media.