Government has called on the Corporation of Hamilton to reinstate Bermuda's oldest arts society or risk legislative changes to the way it is run.

Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation, Dale Butler, made the threat yesterday in a statement of support for the Bermuda Society of Arts, which is being evicted from City Hall to make way for Corporation office space.

Mr. Butler said he was "strongly opposed" to the closure of the BSoA Gallery and called on the public to petition the Corporation and its members to review their decision.

The Corporation gave the BSoA six months' notice to vacate City Hall on December 28 after almost half a century as a tenant.

The Minister said yesterday: "The most recent move by the Corporation to give the BSoA six months to vacate their space — a space they have occupied for 47 years, and that was purpose-built when City Hall was built — is reprehensible, short-sighted and borders on criminal.

"It can certainly be viewed as a crime against arts and culture. With 47 shows held in 2007, 49 planned for 2008, five community-based annual school arts shows, a Bermuda College show, TechArt, the Prison show and much more, the City Fathers must have gone mad, lacked oxygen and sleep when they made such a bad decision to remove a vital part of our existence and creativity from its building.

"The 'Peoples' Gallery' must therefore remain with the same rent and a removal of the sixth month eviction notice clause."

Mr. Butler said: "As Minister of Culture, I hereby proclaim my intention to do everything possible to ensure that the BSoA is not evicted from their space.

"And if sane minds prevail, we will not have to resort to racing to the legislative arm to review their outdated laws and ordinances and bring a real democracy to the City in order to prevent such irrational decisions."

When The Royal Gazette asked Mr. Butler whether Government would bring in legislation to overhaul the Corporation, he said: "Yes. That is a real possibility as the Corporation is outdated and the Government is most concerned about their actions."

Mr. Butler said: "The Corporation has started to embrace everybody in our diverse culture, and is more open and liberal than at any point in 'their' history", but this issue has brought to the fore whether there needs to be a review of the law that establishes the City as it exists in law.

"There is a feeling the Corporation's current rules and ordinances are outdated and a debate sooner or later needs to take place. With the Corporation behaving in this sort of manner, it raises the question as to whether there should be some type of legislative change."

The Minister said: "I call on the Mayor and his good staff to withdraw their intention to evict the BSoA. I would urge them to fully explore a range of alternatives including using excess funds to find alternative office space."

The Minister suggested offices in the new Number One Shed or the Corporation paying a 'peppercorn' rent to the new Par-la-Ville hotel in exchange for reduced taxes.

"I implore the Corporation and Mayor of Hamilton to reconsider their decision, and ask that all of Bermuda let their voices be heard.

"Write to the Corporation and tell them not to close the BSoA," he said. "We cannot afford to lose this important part of our culture."

Last night however, Mayor of Hamilton Sutherland Madeiros called on Mr. Butler to provide Government financial assistance. He said: "As Minister of Culture, if he would put up some money to help the Gallery in any way that would help, or if he could help in any way, such as finding other space."

Mr. Madeiros said: "We need additional office space and looked at adding on to the eastern part of City Hall but the cost would have been fairly substantial. The members (of the Corporation) felt there was space available to them at no cost where the Gallery is and thought this would be acting in the best interests of taxpayers rather than spending taxpayers' money on new offices."

He estimated a City Hall extension at between $600,000-$700,000.

"There's no vendetta by members against the Society of Arts," said Mr. Madeiros. "I wish we could find a solution to satisfy both parties but the members are reluctant to spend $700,000 of taxpayers' money when we have space there for nothing."

Asked whether he thought the decision to evict the 'People's Gallery' contradicted acting "in the best interests of taxpayers", Mr. Madeiros said: "I would say I tend to agree with this, but it was a majority decision of the Corporation."

He said this consisted of himself, five councillors and three aldermen, and that the tenancy agreement consisted of six months' notice by either party.

Last night the BSoA called on the public to petition the Corporation against the charity's eviction.

Jean Gardner and Ed Smith, co-chairs of the governing body said: "If the Corporation's plan to evict the BSoA goes ahead, it will result in the death of the BSoA.

"We are asking everyone who supports the Bermuda Society of the Arts to write to the Corporation of Hamilton to express their opposition to this move, making sure to copy their letter to one of the newspapers too.

"Everyone who feels passionately about the importance of arts and culture to our community must express how they feel about this decision.

"We are the 'People's Gallery' — the only gallery left in Hamilton where local artists can display and sell their work."

The governing body met with the Corporation on Tuesday to present its case, but although members are due to respond, Mr. Madeiros said last night: "We will discuss it but as it stands today, the notice to evict is still in place."

The BSoA marks its 55th anniversary this year. Its gallery space in City Hall was created by architect Will Onions, under a Corporation of Hamilton commission after the old Hamilton Hotel — the home of forerunner the Bermuda Art Association — burned down in 1955.