Council art collection will not go on display

Last year it was revealed that just over 1% of the 2,658 artworks owned by the council were on display

North Yorkshire Council said it has no plans to display the bulk of its £6.7m art collection after talks over a gallery venue broke down.

Only 1% of the 2,658 works of art owned by the authority are currently on public view.

Councillors suggested that exhibitions of the collection could be held at the former Harrogate Council offices on Crescent Gardens.

However, no agreement could be reached with the developer that now owns the building.

'Limited space'

The council has previously argued that it has limited display space at the venues it owns in the Harrogate district; the Mercer Art Gallery and Royal Pump Room Museum and Knaresborough Castle and Museum.

During a planning committee last week attended by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Lib Dem councillor for High Harrogate and Kingsley, Chris Aldred, raised the possibility of artworks being put on show at Crescent Gardens in the future.

The new owner, Impala Estates, has been given planning permission to convert the old council offices into restaurant and bar space.

The council's corporate director of community development, Nic Harne, said: “In 2021, there were initial discussions between Mercer Art Gallery staff and Impala Estates about displaying artworks at Crescent Gardens in the former council chamber, but these talks did not progress further.

“Currently, we remain open to discussions about lending and borrowing collections with other institutions and venues, as is common in the arts and heritage sector."

Mr Harne said there were no "immediate" plans with Impala Estates but said the council would consider opportunities in the future.

Impala Estates did not respond to a request for comment.

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