'We're undervalued as it is': Ruth Lawrence says reversing arts cuts good 1st step

The arts community in St. John's is welcoming news that one councillor will be putting the submission forward to undo recent cuts to the city's arts budget.

Coun. Jonathan Galgay, who chairs the city's finance committee,said earlier this weekhe would be asking council to reconsider a 50 per cent cut to the city's $100,000 arts grant.

• Jonathan Galgay wants St. John's council to review arts grant cut
• Demonstration on St. John's arts cuts says 'support our troupes'

Actor, writer and director Ruth Lawrence, who was at a demonstration outside city hall earlier this week protesting the cuts, says she's "cautiously optimistic" about the news.

"I'm really delighted to see that having the support of so much of our community has resulted in some action on the part of Jonathan Galgay and hopefully the rest of council," he said.

How do we make this kind of situation not to come back to haunt us year and after year?- Ruth Lawrence

"I know he's still got some minds to change there, but I really hope that he can do it."

Lawrence said she wasn't surprised by the roughly 400 people who showed up at city hall to peacefully protest the cut, given the province's strong ties to its cultural heritage.

However, she said the possibility of council undoing the cuts isn't enough.

"When I heard that they were talking about reversing the cuts,I thought that's good, that's a start, because let's face it, we're undervalued as it is and we need actually to start looking at how we're going to make that stable and sustainable funding," she said.

"How do we make this kind of situation not to come back to haunt us year and after year? I am really interested in talking to [Galgay] and working with them. I am there for them whenever they need me."

Galgay will put the submission forward at the Jan. 4 council meeting.