Arts Centre overturned significant deficit to turn a profit, meeting hears

The Ballina Arts Centre overturned a €26,000 deficit at the end of 2022 into a surplus of €30,000 by the end of the following year.

The figures were shared by the Ballina Arts Centre director Paul Cunningham during a presentation to councillors from the Ballina Municipal District last week. Mr Cunningham was seeking their support to ensure the centre continues to be profitable into the future.

Mr Cunningham took over as director in 2022 and the number of events, tickets sold and gallery visitors has increased since then. In 2022, the centre had 84 events with 8,056 tickets sold and 3,300 gallery visitors. So far this year, there have been 129 events, 11,526 tickets sold and 8,200 gallery visitors.

He said the centre had a deficit of €26,000 at the end of 2022 which had been turned into a surplus of €30,000 by the end of the following year. Mr Cunningham said he had used this surplus to hire a full-time sound technician which has allowed the centre to put on more shows. However, he warned that while there is a plan in place for the next few years, there is a ways to go yet for the centre to be more financially independent.

“We need resources. Financial resources, greater staffing and full-time marketing and education workers,” he said.

Mr Cunningham said he was appreciative of the funding committed to the centre by the council through the General Municipal Allocation (GMA) but asked for greater consistency in this as fluctuating allocations have made it difficult to financially plan the future of the facility.

Cllr Jarlath Munnelly said the councillors would see what they can do to support Ballina Arts Centre, which he felt has the potential to be a cornerstone of the town.

“Our Arts Centre is so important. You look at Hawkswell Theatre in Sligo and that is a pillar of the town. It would be great to see the Ballina Arts Centre reach that and I think it is close to reaching that,” he said.

Cllr Annie May Reape, who is on the committee of the Arts Centre, praised Mr Cunningham for his initiative since taking on the role as director. However, she said greater funding was essential to ensure the centre reaches its potential.

“We got nothing in comparison to the Linenhall in Castlebar,” she remarked.