Auckland Art Gallery gets $30 million grant
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The Auckland Art Gallery redevelopment project has been given a $30 million government grant.
The grant represents about a third of the $96.4 million project. The funding will be spread over four years, with an initial grant of $20,391 million in 2007/08.
"The Gallery holds close to 14,000 New Zealand and international art works, including those which reflect key influences on New Zealand artists over the decades and showcase the cutting edge of New Zealand's artistic expression," Prime Minister Helen Clark said at the announcement yesterday.
"The present gallery space, however, allows only about four per cent of the collection to be shown at any one time; working conditions for gallery staff are poor; and the gallery's heritage building needs considerable earthquake strengthening."
The Auckland Art Gallery redevelopment project has been given a $30 million government grant.
The grant represents about a third of the $96.4 million project. The funding will be spread over four years, with an initial grant of $20,391 million in 2007/08.
"The Gallery holds close to 14,000 New Zealand and international art works, including those which reflect key influences on New Zealand artists over the decades and showcase the cutting edge of New Zealand's artistic expression," Prime Minister Helen Clark said at the announcement yesterday.
"The present gallery space, however, allows only about four per cent of the collection to be shown at any one time; working conditions for gallery staff are poor; and the gallery's heritage building needs considerable earthquake strengthening."
The redevelopment will increase exhibition and event floor space by fifty per cent, dedicate more space to New Zealand art and add contemporary architecture and design. The project includes remedial work on the Gallery's heritage building, which has a Category 1 listing with the Historic Places Trust.
Helen Clark said the Auckland Art Gallery was a significant economic and tourism asset for Auckland. The redevelopment was expected over time to attract more than twice as many visitors per annum, with the numbers estimated to reach 450,000 a year.
"The Auckland Art Gallery was the first public art gallery to be established in New Zealand, and is without doubt one of the most important cultural institutions in our country. It has very strong historical and contemporary art collections."
The main gallery building closed on February 29. Construction is expected to start in late April and is due for completion in 2010. During development, events and exhibitions will continue at the Auckland Art Gallery's New Gallery, corner of Wellesley and Lorne streets.
Auckland Art Gallery director, Chris Saines said the project team had always believed that its case for government funding was a compelling one.
"The evident quality, history and representative depth of the gallery's collection were crucial, given the Regional Museum Policy's focus on ensuring nationally significant cultural material is housed adequately and made accessible to New Zealanders," says Mr Saines.
"A modernised and developed gallery enables us to be more innovative and ambitious in the collection displays we can present, with a more diverse range of gallery spaces enabling us to tell a dramatically expanded and enriched story of art in this country."
Chairperson of the Auckland Art Gallery Board, Councillor Noelene Raffills said the government funding was a huge boost for Auckland and most welcome.
"A development of this scale is difficult for a city to achieve on its own. Having government support is vital and its contribution will be appreciated by current and future users of the gallery from across New Zealand and overseas," says Ms Raffills.
Auckland City Council has set aside $33 million and the Auckland Art Gallery Foundation has committed to raising $33.4 million, of which $15.5 million has already been pledged.
Mayor of Auckland city, Hon. John Banks said he was very pleased with the level of government support for this major building project.
"This significant contribution will help to secure Auckland's place as home to New Zealand's pre-eminent public art gallery," says Mr Banks.
"Confirmation of the funding represents another important milestone in the project, and with no more major regulatory and planning hurdles in the way, the project can now proceed."
The investment, made through the Regional Museums Policy for Capital Construction Projects, recognises the national and international significance of the gallery's 14,000-work collection.
Auckland City Council has set aside $33 million and the Auckland Art Gallery Foundation has already raised more than $15 million towards its $33.4 million fundraising target from the community.
More information
Read Helen Clark's speech
See the Auckland City Council project snapshot
07/03/08