A protest march taking place next weekend will attempt to stop plans to close Lincoln’s Usher Gallery.
The closure, announced by Lincolnshire County Council, has resulted in backlash from Lincoln residents who have created a petition, formed Facebook protest group SLUG (Save Lincoln’s Usher Gallery) and organised events such as a speeches and informative meetings.
The council are currently considering moving art pieces from the gallery to The Collection next door, whilst exploring the possibility of turning the Usher Gallery into a wedding venue.
Creator of the SLUG campaign and organiser of the march Amanda Drury said that she formed the group for ‘the people of Lincoln and beyond’.
The protest next weekend will take place at Cornhill Corner at 12am Saturday 13 April and will involve a march to the gallery as well as art-based events such as face painting and creative games, followed by a picnic.
Councillor Nick Worth said about the closure: “The development of two supersites (sites that offer multiple experiences) at Lincoln Castle and The Collection Museum & Art Gallery is to maximise commercial opportunities through more innovative and audience-focused programming. The security and environmental conditions in the museum are significantly better than those across the road, it would allow us to display some of the art we can no longer see in the Usher.”
Over the course of the scheme for renovating both the Castle and The Collection Museum, Lincolnshire County Council’s contribution to the operation of the Heritage Service will be reduced from around £960k in 2018/19 to £222k in 2023/24.
To find out more about the campaign or sign the petition, click here.