A PUBLIC meeting has been held to stress the importance of funding for the arts in the county and keeping buildings such as Pwllheli’s Neuadd Dwyfor open.

On Monday, artists and companies from across Gwynedd attended a meeting at the Galeri in Caernarfon to launch a campaign to safeguard the arts and culture sector in the county which could lose funding under planned service cuts by Gwynedd Council.

The group #SgrechGwynedd has been launched to campaign against any cuts to the community arts projects which include participation workshops/events, strategic grants for the arts, community arts fund and the closure of Neuadd Dwyfor in Pwllheli.

Gwynedd Council is currently looking at different options to save £5.5 million in the county.

A petition was set up at the end of January to save Neuadd Dwyfor from closure, which has now gathered over 3,000 signatures.

A campaign spokesperson for #SgrechGwynedd said: “It is vital that we as artists and companies and the public understand the severity of this threat.

“Any cut will have a direct impact on the network of artists/companies working within the arts in terms of provision and of course could lead to redundancies.”

The group says the arts fund is vital in Gwynedd as it brings people together from all walks of life and accessible arts activities have a direct impact on the quality of people’s lives.

The organisations which currently receive financial backing from Gwynedd Council within Dwyfor and Meirionnydd are Oriel Plas Glyn y Weddw, Theatr Harlech and a community arts fund is also granted for Beddgelert Music Festival, Canolfan Nefyn, Cymdeithas Pared Dewi Sant Pwllheli, Fairbourne Art Group and Gwyl Celf Llyn – which would all be affected if cuts are made to the funding.

The spokesperson added: “The arts sector here in Gwynedd offers a good return on investment.

“During 2014-2015, 12 organisations receiving strategic grants for the arts in Gwynedd presented over 2,370 events reaching an audience of over 403,000.

“The investment of £169,700 has generated over £4m in additional funding and income for the sector.

“Investing in the arts also sees the wider economy benefit – whether shops in towns and villages, cafés and hotels – cutting funding would see a wider negative impact on the economy across the county.

“Every single person in Gwynedd has the right to access the arts and culture on their door step. This is our simple argument and we hope that the others join our #SgrechGwynedd campaign.”

To sign the online petition to protect the arts fund in Gwynedd visit http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sgrech-gwynedd

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “Seventy-five per cent of the money Gwynedd Council receives to pay for local services comes from the government in the form of a grant.

“The fact that this government grant is continuously being reduced means that we no longer have any option but to consider implementing service cuts to bridge the funding shortfall.

“Before coming to a final decision (on the results of a public consultation), Gwynedd councillors will look in detail at all the responses, comments and correspondence submitted by the public during the consultation, as well as specific feedback we have received from organisations representing sectors and areas such as the arts, business, disabled people, young people, older people and the voluntary sector.

“A report of the financial strategy that will include a final list of service cuts will be presented to the council Cabinet on 16 February before all 75 Gwynedd councillors come to a final decision at a meeting of the full council on 3 March.”