Creamy Psychology, Wellington City Gallery’s captivating survey of the intriguing work of art photographer Yvonne Todd, a look back at 75 years of flight with Air New Zealand currently on show at Te Papa, and several innovative WWI exhibitions and programmes are just some of the exciting finalists in the ServiceIQ 2015 New Zealand Museum Awards.

Twenty-two finalists have been selected from a strong show of entries, says Museums Aotearoa Executive Director Phillipa Tocker, “The high calibre of creativity, imagination, and depth and range of entries demonstrates how museums and galleries are engaging, entertaining and ultimately satisfying audiences all over the country.”

It is no surprise that several finalists are WWI related projects. With community and national commemorations happening throughout the country, some museums have come up with outstanding projects, says Phillipa.

She is also pleased to see impressive entries in the Te Reo Maori category, introduced last year.

Guest judge Te Radar, who will also host the ServiceIQ Museum Awards celebration in Dunedin on 7 May, is impressed with the quality of the entries. "With our finalists, we have a real celebration of the diversity of our museums and galleries and projects," he says.

ServiceIQ, ITO for Museums, Tourism and other service sectors, is proud to sponsor the Awards and has introduced a new award for Visitor Experience.

ServiceIQ Chief Executive Dean Minchington says: "Museums and galleries showcase our country’s rich heritage and contemporary culture, and serve the interests of both New Zealanders and tourists.”

“These days, with so many competing options for our time – from movies, outdoor pursuits to sports and shopping – New Zealand museums are successfully getting on people’s consideration list by offering compelling shows plus all-round excellent customer service, from edifying exhibition tours to great service at the museum store.”

“I look forward to presenting the winners, and celebrating the professionalism in this very exciting sector.”

Finalists:

Best Exhibition over $20,000

• City Gallery Wellington - Yvonne Todd: Creamy Psychology
• MTG Hawke's Bay - Whetu Tirikatere Sullivan - Travel in Style
• Toitu Otago Settlers Museum - Dunedin's Great War
• Workshop e & Air New Zealand - Air New Zealand 75 Years: Our Nation. The World. Connected

Best Exhibition under $20,000

• Dunedin Public Art Gallery - Wonderwall
• Expressions Arts and Entertainment Centre - WWI: Tracing the Footsteps from Trentham
• MTG Hawke's Bay - Dr Felkin and the Forerunners: Visions of Utopia, 1900-1930
• New Zealand Maritime Museum - Messing about in boats

Best Museum Project

• Havelock Museum - Museum Redevelopment – a campaign to free Havelock's history
• Locales - Rangihoua Heritage Park
• Mataura Museum - Reinventing the Mataura Museum
• Toitu - Journey of the Otagos

ServiceIQ Best Museum Visitor Experience

• Canterbury Museum - Our people at the heart of a world-class visitor experience
• Click Suite - Future Cities
• Waihi Gold Discovery Centre

Most Innovative Public Programme

• Dowse Art Museum - Art + Feminism Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon Art Museum
• Expressions Art & Entertainment Centre - WW1 Regimental Dinner
• New Zealand Maritime Museum - Sister Anzac
• Waipu Museum - Public Programme 2013-2015

Most Innovative use of Te Reo Maori

• City Gallery Wellington - Johnson Witehira: Toituhi education project
• MOTAT - Welcome to the Machine - Nau mai ki te Mihini
• MTG HB - Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan - Travel in Style

Media Release: Museums Aotearoa
15/04/2015