MAMA cost more than $1 million to operate again in 2017-18 with the net operating result of $1.14 million slightly more than the previous year, but short of the $1.39 million in its initial year of operation.

The recurring council funding equates for 63 per cent of MAMA’s total revenue with income up more than $230,000 compared to 12 months ago.

Last year, MAMA raised $486,000 in cash with the largest contribution of $247,000 being from philanthropic sources.

The MAMA annual report was tabled late last year with councillors agreeing the regional facility was tracking in the right direction.

“It is an unmitigated success,” Cr Henk van de Ven said.

“We have now got one of the best credentialed directors (Bree Pickering) of that particular facility.”

Cr David Thurley said MAMA was going from “strength to strength” and pointed to the 136,000 visitors to the museum as proof.

“MAMA’s profile is increasing all the time,” he said.

A target of $1 million in philanthropic support was achieved in the construction phase and ongoing private contributions remain critical to MAMA’s operation.

Also, the MAMA advisory committee was confirmed with seven appointees to serve two-year terms.

The committee will be chaired by La Trobe University Albury-Wodonga head of campus Dr Guinever Threlkeld.

Other appointees are Isobel Parker-Philip, Emma Crimmings, Simon Mallia, Lorraine Connelly-Northey, Janet Osborne and Megan Cullen.

Their two-year terms officially start next month with the chair’s role to include being a conduit to the council including an annual presentation to a councillor workshop and be the figurehead spokesperson for promoting MAMA.

Also last financial year there was $250,000 in-kind support and $238,000 worth of art works gifted to MAMA Art Foundation to form part of the museum’s permanent collection presently valued at $7.7 million.

Almost $20,000 sponsorship was raised to ensure the Sidney Nolan Ned Kelly Series exhibition was free after originally being budgeted to be a paid ticketed exhibition.