Andrew Glover reports on the situation for cultural venues in the North East, and asks how important culture is when council budgets are squeezed.
Glistening in the November sun, Middlesbrough's mima art gallery is in pristine condition.
Almost seven years after it opened, the focal point of the town's Centre Square remains immaculate both inside and out.
But while it currently remains open, the gallery's future has been vigorously debated as the council has made cuts of £40m since 2011.
Its annual £1m funding package had escaped unscathed until mayor Ray Mallon outlined how £22m would be saved in 2014-15.
And amidst confirmation of 600 job losses, came the announcement that Teesside University would take over the day-to-day running of mima, saving the council about £350,000 per year.
Mr Mallon described it as the "perfect partnership", but for councillor Brian Hubbard, of Middlesbrough Independent Councillors Association, it does not go far enough.
"We were promised two years ago that mima was going to be placed into a trust, taking all the running costs away from the council," he said.
Glistening in the November sun, Middlesbrough's mima art gallery is in pristine condition.
Almost seven years after it opened, the focal point of the town's Centre Square remains immaculate both inside and out.
But while it currently remains open, the gallery's future has been vigorously debated as the council has made cuts of £40m since 2011.
Its annual £1m funding package had escaped unscathed until mayor Ray Mallon outlined how £22m would be saved in 2014-15.
And amidst confirmation of 600 job losses, came the announcement that Teesside University would take over the day-to-day running of mima, saving the council about £350,000 per year.
Mr Mallon described it as the "perfect partnership", but for councillor Brian Hubbard, of Middlesbrough Independent Councillors Association, it does not go far enough.
"We were promised two years ago that mima was going to be placed into a trust, taking all the running costs away from the council," he said.