JERSEY should revisit plans for a National Gallery as part of wider “cultural investment” to support the Island’s premier industry, a senior politician who previously championed such as scheme has said.
Veteran politician Sir Philip Bailhache has called for a National Gallery to be established in Jersey as part of an improved cultural and entertainment offer recommended last month by an independent panel of experts.
The St Clement Deputy, who is retiring from public life at this summer’s election, said that there are “many possibilities” for a new home of art on the Island within “striking distance” of Jersey Heritage museums should discussions for increased “cultural investment” materialise.
He further stated that cultural partnerships with galleries in London, Rennes, and Angers are available should any proposal be developed.
The former Bailiff’s comments follow the announcement of a plan dubbed Time to Win – announced last month following a comprehensive review of Jersey’s Financial and Related Professional Services to support the industry.
As part of the report, a panel of independent experts from across the finance industry “discussed the importance of an improved cultural and entertainment offer”.
The panel – chaired by Sir Howard Davies, former chairman of NatWest Group – concluded that a revitalised cultural sector “would help attract and retain finance professionals, and at the same time strengthen tourism”.
It added: “This could include cultural partnerships and international residencies for orchestras or theatre companies.”
The panel’s remit was to suggest ways that Jersey can protect and grow its all-important main industry, which makes up half of Jersey’s £6 billion economy, provides two out of every five jobs in Jersey, and generates £6 in every £10 of tax revenue.
Responding to the Time to Win findings, Deputy Bailhache said he was fully behind plans for more funding in the cultural sector.
“I’m very much in favour of a cultural investment,” he said. “And if it were possible to bring to life the plans for a National Gallery of Jersey that would be marvellous – because we have hundreds of pictures sitting in storage which have never seen the light of day.”
The gallery could lead to “all sorts of opportunities on the artistic front,” he added.
“It would encourage people who have very fine pictures and collections to lend them to the National Gallery for a public exhibition, and there are many possibilities which would arise.”
Deputy Bailhache, who also currently chairs the Legislation Advisory Panel, said previous plans to form a National Gallery in 2007 had “ultimately fizzled away”.
He said: “I think there was a plan to build on Weighbridge Square – which may or may not have been a good idea – that led to opposition from hotels nearby, who did not want to see the view of the Harbour impeded from their bedroom windows.”
But he pointed out the “number of different possibilities” currently available to the government for a National Gallery should plans be pursued.
“Ideally it would be not far from the existing museum so that you could have an efficient exchange of staff,” he said.
“Because, I think it would probably have to be run by the Heritage Trust, which runs the museum, and so it ought to be within striking distance of the existing museums.
“But whether it would be possible to use one of the buildings down on the Norman’s front, or a new building perhaps on the Waterfront – there’s a number of different possibilities.”
Like in 2007, he observed, “cultural partnerships” for a proposed National Gallery remain both numerous and logistically viable.
He added: “There was an analysis of the fine works of art in the Island in private collections, and a number of those collectors were approached and asked whether they would be willing to lend their pictures to a National Gallery, and most of them said ‘yes they would’.
“So there are many opportunities, and of course we could have a link with one of the great galleries in London, or alternatively with the galleries in Rennes or Angers– or, again, the wonderful pictures over here which people are willing to lend to a one-off exhibition.”
