AN arts organisation has issued a rallying cry to its supporters to safeguard its future.

East Oxford based Fusion Arts, which works with thousands of people each year organising arts activities and workshops, has had its core funding slashed for the second time.

Prior to the funding cuts, it received about £46,000 for general running costs from Oxford City Council.

That was cut by 21 per cent about three years ago, then last year it was cut by a further 24 per cent leaving the organisation with a baseline budget of £28,000.

The Princes Street charity’s annual operational costs are about £70,000.

Artistic director Tara Stewart said: “None of the grants from elsewhere pay for vital development work as well as keeping the centre itself going and open for classes and workshops.”

As well as regular activities at the centre itself, each year the organisation puts on five or six major projects outside the centre.

While the organisation is constantly seeking funding, most of that which is available is for specific projects, not for running costs.

Mrs Stewart said: “We are looking at all kinds of other ways we might be able to use funding that’s unrestricted so we can make up that shortfall.”

That includes the possibility of setting up a Friends of Fusion system, whereby people could set up regular monthly donations to the upkeep of the charity.

Mrs Stewart added: “If we had that kind of income from people willing to support us, whether it’s £1, £5 or whatever, it would be a regular amount that would help to off-set some of that loss.”

Fusion has already gone down from five members of staff to three part-time employees. The centre is also looking to encourage more people to rent out its studio spaces and equipment and facilities, and is hoping people who have been involved in previous Fusion projects could act as advocates for its work.

Fundraising events, including one on Saturday, June 1 featuring storytelling and music, will also be held.

Fusion has been working with artists and communities since 1977.

Mrs Stewart said she was optimistic about the organisation’s future but warned if the additional fundraising activities were unsuccessful its future would be bleak.