City leaders respond to CAM’s request for funds

City funding for the Cameron Art Museum is not a sure thing. We spoke to two city council members about CAM’s latest request for help as the city faces a $7 million budget shortfall.

“Well, it’s a lot of money considering what we’re facing,” said Dr. Earl Sheridan. “I think the arts are important. They’re important to the quality of life of an area, but I’ll have to look at their request very closely.”

“I do think that if you look at it on the list in terms of priorities,” Kevin O’Grady says, “The social service agencies are farther down the list on priority, the primary functions are core services.”

If CAM doesn’t get the money it’s asking for, the museum board is considering a number of other ways to ensure survival including cutting programs and hours, or even merging with other non-profits, like the Cape Fear Museum.