The gallery’s request for $36,000 to keep it open until the end of the financial year was knocked back by council at its April 1 meeting.

The council is currently conducting a strategic review of the need for an art gallery in Cessnock, due at the end of May.

Gallery director John Barnes has resigned from his position and said management committee members will be looking after all gallery affairs until the future of the incorporated body is determined.

“It is hoped that the closure will be temporary but the uncertainty of our predicament has meant that we have had to take this action, at this time in order that all the gallery’s obligations can be met,” Dr. Barnes said.

“I have enjoyed my last three years as director of the Cessnock Regional Art Gallery and the many challenges it has presented.

“I am pleased to say that our expanded exhibition program and concentration on mainly regional, or regionally relevant, artists has generated an overwhelmingly positive response from critics, artists and the public, whether local or visiting from the Hunter, the Central Coast, Sydney, interstate or overseas.

“We have managed to keep the gallery open for six days a week for fifty weeks of the year and I would like to thank the gallery assistants for all their help in this regard.

“I would especially like to thank the small but totally dedicated group of volunteers, without whom we would not have been able to function.

“I hope that councillors reach a positive conclusion to their review into the desirability of an art gallery for Cessnock and decide to make a positive investment in the future, through their support of the artistic sector and a gallery.”

Greens councillor James Ryan said the gallery’s closure is a great loss to the community and that it was disappointing that the majority of councillors did not vote to support the motion to provide the emergency funding.

"Good governance should have seen Cessnock Council wait until the review was completed and they had all the information to consider before pulling the rug out from under this community organisation,” Cr. Ryan said.

“An art gallery is an important element in the cultural life of any community.

“It is one way the council can facilitate community pride and identity. “It is an indicator of the liveability and diversity of a local community.

“I look forward to a future time when Cessnock Council becomes a firm supporter of the Cessnock Regional Art Gallery and the cultural life of our community.”