A petition to save art space in Reading has attracted more than 1,800 signatures.
There are fears that Open Hand Open Space (OHOS) art gallery and studio at Brock Keep at the barracks in Oxford Road, West Reading.
The building was completed during the Victorian era in 1877 to help boost recruitment at the barracks and has hosted artists with OHOS for decades.
Reading Borough Council has triggered a sales process for the building.
A petition calling for OHOS to be saved has received 1,835 signatures Change.org, with more than 100 emails and letters being sent to councillors.
It calls on the council to recognise Brock Keep as a historic and cultural asset, protect OHOS and its role in supporting the cultural life of Oxford Road and Reading, and support the cultural offer by securing Brock Keep for the community.
The petition was handed in at a full council meeting by Susanne Clausen, professor of Fine Art at the University of Reading.
She said: “Brock Keep has been put up for sale, which is a situation that inherently threatens our organisation, the artists who are housed with us, but also all the partners and groups who we are working with.
“We have submitted a cultural bid for Brock Keep, we recognise that Reading is in a difficult financial situation and has to counter this and look at selling the assets, but in our bid, we actually think Brock Keep on Oxford Road is an important community and cultural space.
“I know the council recognises the importance of culture for wellbeing, but the council may not recognise there’s actually not enough space for artists in Reading.
“If there’s no space to house us, we can’t do that work.”
Professor Clausen then reiterated the aims of the petition.
In response, Adele Barnett-Ward (Labour, Thames) lead councillor for leisure and culture said: “The Keep is a Grade II Listed Building which requires long term investment in the property and at this time, the council is not able to commit to the investment needed.
“The property is occupied by OHOS and Reading Space on a heavily subsidised basis with the council.
“Over a number of years, the council has supported a variety of OHOS bids to obtain external funding, but these have ultimately proved unsuccessful, including a recent bid for Heritage Lottery Fund money.
“As a result, the council has invited bids for the sale of the freehold from both from private bidders and from Reading’s voluntary sector, with the current occupiers remaining in situ. Whether the occupiers can remain long term or not, will ultimately be a decision for the buyer of the site.
“The council is committed to introducing the current occupiers to any alternative properties that may be available in the Borough whilst the sale process progresses.
“The council recognises the value OHOS provides to Reading and will continue to support them as an important part of the cultural sector of Reading.”
The petition was handed in at the full council meeting on January 28.
